Nolensville Fire Chief and Cancer Survivor Shares Importance Of Giving Blood

Pictured: Chief Windrow 
Photo Credit: Matt Masters, Williamson Home Page

By Janae’ Daniels, American Red Cross volunteer

NOLENSVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 2, 2021 - David Windrow, the first Municipal Fire Chief of Nolensville, has first-hand experience in receiving lifesaving blood donations and knows the impact donating blood can have on a person.  

“I’m thankful to be here because during my cancer treatment at Sarah Cannon I used a lot of blood so that means that somebody out there saved my life during this process,” he said. 

By donating blood, the Chief says donors can save multiple lives in an instant. The time commitment only takes less than a half-hour with an appointment.   

“Every day, there is a need locally for blood whether it’s a burn victim at Vanderbilt, or a cancer patient at Sarah Cannon, like me who is a cancer survivor, or a mother who is having a difficult pregnancy at St. Thomas Midtown,” he said. “There is a need constantly. The need is real, whether it’s plasma, platelets or whole blood.” 

The need for blood is also heightened during a time of crisis whether a natural disaster, mass shooting or during one of the most horrific days in U.S. history, Sept. 11, 2001.   

“What we learned that day [9/11] is bad things can happen in an instant,” the Chief said. “We unfortunately know that in our business, but some people don’t, and there are things outside your control that you just don’t know.”  

“Just because you don’t wear a badge doesn’t mean you can’t be a hero,” he said. “What we can do is roll up our sleeves and give some blood to safe somebody’s life. How often can you do such a simple act and have such a significant impact in the world and instantly save lives? It’s your neighbors, not just somebody in a far-away place. It’s right here in town, in the Middle Tennessee area.” 

Blood drive safety  

Each Red Cross blood drive and donation center follows the highest standards of safety and infection control, and additional precautions – including face masks for donors and staff, regardless of vaccination status – have been implemented to help protect the health of all those in attendance. Donors are asked to schedule an appointment prior to arriving at the drive.  

Save time during donation  

Donors can also save up to 15 minutes at the blood drive by completing a RapidPass®. With RapidPass®, donors complete the pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of donation, from a mobile device or computer. To complete a RapidPass®, follow the instructions at RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass or use the Red Cross Blood Donor App. 

To donate blood, individuals need to bring a blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification that are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also must meet certain height and weight requirements. 

Health insights for donors  

At a time when health information has never been more important, the Red Cross is screening all blood, platelet and plasma donations from self-identified African American donors for the sickle cell trait. This additional screening will provide Black donors with an additional health insight and help the Red Cross identify compatible blood types more quickly to help patients with sickle cell disease who require trait-negative blood. Blood transfusion is an essential treatment for those with sickle cell disease, and blood donations from individuals of the same race, ethnicity and blood type have a unique ability to help patients fighting sickle cell disease.     

Donors can expect to receive sickle cell trait screening results, if applicable, within one to two weeks through the Red Cross Blood Donor App and the online donor portal at RedCrossBlood.org.   

About the American Red Cross 

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.