‘I do like saving a life or two’
This Memphis man has donated blood more than 500 times
Usually when someone says they don’t like needles, you’d imagine they’d avoid those sharp pointers as best they can — not Shaun Brennan, instead he seeks them out.
On April 19, the 61-year-old Memphian took time off to visit Lemoyne-owen College for a blood drive to donate for a 517th time.
“I love life and want to give other people the chance to enjoy life and keep on living,” Brennan said.
Brennan, who works as a healthcare liaison, has been donating blood, platelets and plasma for decades. It was something he began doing in November 1985 as a means to give back. He suffered from childhood asthma and was routinely visiting his pediatrician and recalls the experience of needing assistance to live, to move forward.
While it isn’t quite survivor’s guilt that spurs him along, it’s more about knowing he can help make an impact in the lives of all those who are battling cancer or lifethreatening situations. As he puts it, he’s healthy and his body replenishes what he donates, so why not help?
“I don’t like needles,” Brennan said. “I don’t like to get stuck, but I do like saving a life or two.”
It’s a rather modest notion. Though, for a man who has run 2 to 8 miles daily for more than 4,000 consecutive days, making sure a life-saving routine is in play seems more par for the course than out of place.
Brennan said he’ll donate blood every eight weeks. He looks for donation drives and registers once he’s eligible again. For platelets and plasma, he may travel. He said gone as far as Nashville and St. Louis to donate when and where he can.
The motivation comes from working in the healthcare industry and seeing children and adults who are directly impacted or in need of blood transfusions. The fact that only 3% of eligible persons donate yearly is just another incentive for him to continue, he said.
Around the 450 mark, Brennan began bringing a sign to commemorate the moment and as a means to help raise awareness with his donation candids.
“If folks actually saw a number with each donation maybe it would hit home a little bit more,” he said. “Folks might say, ‘If Shaun can do it so can I.’”
In August 2022, Brennan received a Presidential Award for Excellence from the American Red Cross for his contributions in blood and platelet donations.
Whole blood donors can donate up to six times a year and are required to be at least16 years old and weigh a minimum of110 pounds, according to the American Red Cross. Requirements vary between donation types including platelet donations (at least 17 years old, minimum weight of 110 pounds) and plasma along with the frequency a person can donate annually.
A full list of eligibility requirements can be found on the American Red Cross website.
Neil Strebig is a journalist with The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at neil.strebig@commercialappeal.com , 901-426-0679 or via X: @neilstrebig.