Heart of America

Glenn A. Theinert is an amazing man. He is a silent hero who has made a difference in many people’s lives.   Theinert first donated blood when he was in the Air Force stationed overseas during World War II. While in England, one of his friends suffered severe burns in a fire and needed blood to survive. Theinert stepped forward and donated blood for the first time to help his friend. That day in 1944 marked the beginning of many donations to come.   After returning home, Theinert continued to donate blood regularly through the American Red Cross. He donated whole blood but switched to more frequent platelet donations. Platelets can be donated up to 24 times a year and are used to treat patients with cancer when chemotherapy affects their platelet count. He says the people who work at the Red Cross are family and encourages those who are able to give blood and platelets to donate on a regular basis.   Theinert hit a milestone, and I had the privilege of meeting him. Recently he was recognized for donating 70 gallons of blood and platelets. I am a blood recipient and therefore find him to be my silent hero. He is not the type of man who donates in order to receive recognition, but is a humble soul who wants to help others out of the kindness of his heart.   Glenn A. Theinert is the living definition of a true hero in the hearts of the many blood recipients he has saved, including me.