Man’s blood donations affect hundreds of lives
Chuck Johll hit the 23-gallon mark on Monday at the Prairie du Chien Community Blood Drive at the National Guard Armory. He is pictured donating, as nurse Beth Rosenthal assists in leading him through the process. (Photo by Correne Martin)
By Correne Martin
Between 368 and 552 people have received the life-changing gift of blood from one humble, local man, who has donated 23 gallons of blood at Prairie du Chien Community Blood Drives since the early 1970s.
Chuck Johll, 72, of Prairie du Chien, started giving blood while working at 3M, since the company generously allows its employees to receive paid time off while donating.
“It was a few years after I started at 3M,” he recalled, proudly pointing out that he worked there 32 years. Currently semi-retired, Johll has been employed part-time at Walmart for the past 11 years. He takes plenty of time to indulge in his passion of golfing regularly, even mowing the greens at the Prairie du Chien Country Club.
Johll agrees that his energetic, hard-working nature has played a part in his good health, which has allowed him to achieve those 23 gallons.
“The (American) Red Cross keeps me in touch with how many people I’ve helped,” Johll said. “That makes me feel good.” The Red Cross informs its donors, each time they give, about where their blood is sent.
Although Johll admits he hasn’t kept strict records of his donations, some easy math shows that, over the years, Johll has given blood a total of 184 times, in order to reach 23 gallons. This is because it takes eight blood donations to reach one gallon. With each donation, at least two, sometimes three, people have reaped the benefits. Since he attends only four community blood drives per year in Prairie du Chien, it has taken him about 46 years to meet that total. Of course, there were times he was unable to donate too.
But not much has kept him away. In fact, Johll finished nine rounds of golf Monday, Sept. 12, the morning before fulfilling his 23 gallon goal at the National Guard Armory. And, he planned to golf afterward as well.
Next time the Red Cross comes to town, he’ll most likely be there, ready to relax on the bed, have his blood drawn and talk to the nurses and volunteers.
“I enjoy it,” he said simply.
