Wright-Patt blood donor reaches milestone of giving

  • Published
  • By Myra Saxon
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  An 88th Logistics Readiness Squadron support agreement manager has achieved a milestone in blood donations, reaching the 14 ½ gallon mark.
David McDaniel was a college student when he first gave blood. More than 36 years later, he's still giving and looks forward to his next opportunity in 2 weeks.
"I like giving back to the community," said McDaniel. "Giving blood is one thing I can do that doesn't take much time or cost a lot of money and the thought of saving three lives with one pint of my blood was the biggest thing that kept motivating me to keep giving."
He started out donating to the Red Cross, but later learned that when the military has a shortage of blood they buy from the Red Cross.
"I wanted to help military members so I decided to donate directly to the bases' blood centers," said McDaniel.
In the past, he was able to give blood to one of his daughters who was in need after her surgery.
McDaniel has been recognized for reaching the 10 gallon mark from the Red Cross and hopes to get his pin from the Wright-Patt Medical Facility when he reaches five gallons.
"I try to stay on schedule and donate every eight weeks and with health permitting, my overall goal is 25 gallons," said McDaniel.
McDaniel, who is also a retired Senior Master Sergeant, not only gives blood but is an organ donor and volunteers serving meals and doing outdoor maintenance and landscaping at his church, The Gospel Mission in downtown Dayton. He also volunteers with a special needs organization called Toward Independence and spends his weekends helping at a Xenia church camp that teaches inner-city children how to enjoy outdoor activities such as horse-back riding, fishing and hiking in the woods.
McDaniel fathers a family of individuals who are also driven by altruistic ambitions. He is married with four children, who all contribute their time to church camps, teach bible studies, and donate blood.
"My greatest satisfaction is helping," said McDaniel. "It's how I strive to live my life; I look to see who needs a hand and I really enjoy helping others."