JOHNSTOWN – The American Red Cross annually holds donor recognition banquets to honor their dedicated platelet donors, but this year, a Clearfield man was among the honorees.
During Johnstown’s platelet apheresis banquet, Perry Rowles one of 13 individuals around the country to be inducted into the Baxter Health Care Donor Hall of Fame Wednesday.
“This is a huge honor for a donor to receive,” explained Jim Rigby, Red Cross recruitment supervisor, automated collections. “Perry started the tradition of regularly donating platelets with his late father over 10 years ago. Since his father’s passing last year, Perry’s son, Cory, has taken his place and now travels with his father to donate.”
“It’s an honor and privilege to receive this award and hope to live up to standards set before me,” Rowles said.
Rigby explained that the Rowles donates every two weeks, which means that they wake up early and leave their residence in Clearfield at 4:30 a.m. and drive 150 miles round trip for one donation. “I nominated Perry because of his dedication and commitment to helping others,” stated Rigby. “He is truly inspirational.”
Perry Rowles has already given over 330 platelet and plasma products since becoming a donor in May 1994.
The Hall of Fame that Perry will join is sponsored by Baxter Health Care, a major provider of products and supporter of research and education for the blood banking industry.
“We are particularly pleased to have special donors like Mr. Rowles in our area,” commented Baxter Health Care Representative Terry German, who presented the award to Perry on Wednesday. “We are very proud to have him be a part of our Donor Hall of Fame. It’s especially exciting to have someone from Pennsylvania recognized nationally.”
In addition to recognition to the Hall of Fame, Perry will also be honored in Baxter Health Care’s annual calendar that features donors from around the nation.
So what does Perry Rowles think of this?
“I’m honored to be recognized by Baxter for this award; but that’s not why I donate,” stated Rowles. “I donate because it’s a tradition that my dad started with me over 10 years ago and now I continue that tradition with my sons. Donating is the right thing to do; it helps people and you know you’re doing something good.”