News

Blood donor’s consistency helps save lives across central Illinois

Blood donor’s consistency helps save lives across central Illinois

David Butt talks to an employee of ImpactLife in Springfield. Photo: WAND News


Springfield, IL (WAND) – For David Butt, donating blood is a regular occurrence.

Butt has donated enough blood to potentially help save 33 human lives, and that number is still growing.

“Donating blood is a fun thing to do,” Butt said.

He also donates platelets, which can help cancer patients. While he doesn’t know everyone his blood has helped, he feels a responsibility to keep showing up.

“You count to eight. Eight pints make a gallon. You count to eight; the pints are another gallon. So I’m watching myself and pushing myself to continue moving up this ladder because it’s something I can do,” Butt said.

David is living proof that it only takes a little bit of time to make a big impact.

“In February and once again in March and in April, my donations all were targeted to someone, and that made me feel pretty good that I knew that someone nearby, someone in central Illinois or possibly the Metro East area, was benefiting,” Butt said.

ImpactLife Donor Director Tara Matheson explains that consistent blood donations help maintain a stable blood supply across central Illinois.

However, complications arise if the blood supply gets low.

“Always a chance that the blood’s not going to be on hand when there’s someone [who] needs it in a trauma situation or a cancer patient receiving transfusions,” Matheson said.

Butt’s consistency will soon land him in the National Blood Donor Hall of Fame later this year.

“I was surprised that our organization was able to get me as a second inductee in a consecutive year, and I was pleased,” Butt said.

Just one donation can make all the difference.

David encourages students and families at the University of Illinois to compete in the Big Ten Blood Donation Challenge.

The winning university gets $1 million toward health services on campus.

Recent Headlines

1 day ago in Sports, Trending

Josh Allen opens the Bills’ new stadium with a 5-TD outing in a 41-31 win over the Lions

Josh Allen quickly put his stamp on Highmark Stadium by throwing three touchdown passes and running for two more scores in a 41-31 victory over the Detroit Lions on Thursday night in the first regular-season game at the $2.1 billion facility.

1 day ago in Entertainment

Jon Stewart explains his ongoing philanthropic support of first responders

Jon Stewart says he never really decided to focus his charity efforts on first responders and their families. It just happened. The award-winning host of "The Daily Show" said he wanted to feel useful and support people who dedicated their lives to helping others.

1 day ago in National, Trending

Early voting begins in US midterm elections that could flip control of Congress

In-person voting for this year's midterm elections began Friday, ushering in the final six weeks for Americans to decide which party they trust to lead Congress through a cost-of-living crisis, a prolonged war in Iran and other pressing issues.

2 days ago in Business, Entertainment, IL State News, Lifestyle, Local

City: More hotel nights booked in Springfield in 2025, expected to be higher this year

"That means hotel stays are up about 12,000 room nights.  We have more travelers in town visiting Springfield."

3 days ago in Entertainment

Bingo and Tickle Me Elmo nominated for Toy Hall of Fame. Will Care Bears also make it this year?

Tickle Me Elmo dolls, the game of chance Bingo and the humble playground slide are among the finalists to get into the National Toy Hall of Fame this year, a lineup that also includes cuddly Care Bears, the dice game Yahtzee, the ancient game Mahjong and the Pokémon Trading Card Game.