The Lifesaving Habit: One Drop at a Time
by Jamshed Ghadiali
August 24, 2025
Have you ever wondered how much impact a single habit can have over a lifetime? Imagine a journey that spans six decades, touches hundreds of lives, and proves that persistence, and a pint of blood, can be truly heroic. Welcome to my story of over 367 donations and counting.
How “Just Once” Became 60 Years. It started in Mumbai, 1965:
Three friends, aged nineteen, walked into the Red Cross Center. I was one of them. It was supposed to be just a single act of service - but it became a lifelong calling. Since that day, I haven’t looked back. Six decades, 103 whole blood, 228 platelets, 36 plasma donations later, I’m grateful for the good health and the chance to keep giving.
Measuring Impact And Finding Heroes
367 donations sounds staggering, but averaged out, it’s just a handful per year. My inspiration? James Harrison, the “man with the golden arm”, who donated over 1,100 times and helped save more than two million babies through his rare Anti-D plasma. He turned an extraordinary genetic gift into a legacy that crossed continents and generations.
Persistence Over Perfection
Pete Rose once said: "You've gone 0 for 7,000." However, if that 0 for 7,000 is out of 10,000 plate appearances then you could end up in the Hall of Fame. It's the same with Blood donations. My own journey wasn’t perfect - sometimes I skipped months, sometimes the answer was “Sorry, not today.” Each missed try reminded me: The next chance is always worth taking. In the 1970s, India’s centers reused needles and collected blood in glass bottles; a thought that chills me now. But I kept coming back for more.
Answering the Call: From Mumbai to New York
After immigrating to Queens, I sought out donation centers on my own. No one asked: no one needed to. When New York’s lights went out in 1977, the city came alive with urgency and generosity. Long lines formed at the centers, a testament to New Yorkers’ spirit in a crisis.
Innovation and Milestones
Technology evolved and so did my donations. From whole blood to plasma and platelets. Reaching 100 took decades: 200 and 300 arrived faster thanks to modern machines and skilled staff. Covid-19 slowed things, but I’m grateful to have surpassed 350 and now hope to reach 400 in 2029: one donation, one story, at a time.
Why This Matters: A Personal Challenge
This isn’t about applause. It’s a plea: Blood can’t be manufactured, and demand grows daily. Just three percent of Americans donate, yielding 13.6 million units. If we raised that by only two percent, blood shortages could vanish. Most donors are over 50, but high school juniors and seniors (healthy, ready, and willing) could step up and change everything.
Ready for Your First Step?
If life has gifted you good health, roll up your sleeves. Endorphins are a bonus, but knowing you’ve helped someone live another day is the true reward. Thank you for joining me on this lifelong journey. Together, we could save thousands.
Show your support by letting the New York Blood Center know that the New York Blood Center helped bring you in to donate! When you sign up at nybc.org/sponsor, use our sponsor code #10691.
Before you donate:
Eat well and drink plenty of water.
You must be 17 or older (16 with a signed parental consent form).
Not sure if you're eligible? Click here to check your eligibility.
