Rockport grandfather commonly dons new costumes to donate blood for baby most cancers sufferers – NBC Boston


They are saying not all heroes put on capes. A Massachusetts grandfather dons a tablecloth as a substitute and pairs it with a masks.

Invoice Lee, a 75-year-old Rockport man, is not very nice at hiding his id, however what he lacks in thriller, he makes up with charity.

Lee has a particular Friday custom to assist save kids with most cancers, and he just lately surpassed a significant milestone: Greater than 100 blood platelet donations.

“I am going to go so long as I can, so long as I keep wholesome,” he mentioned. “I at all times do double platelets, not only a single dose.”

Lee hits up the Boston Youngsters’s Hospital Blood Donor Heart wearing a brand new costume and joins along with his buddies each different Friday to donate platelets. He is executed it for the previous six years.

He was impressed by one other hero: His grandson, Will, who, on the age of two, was identified with Stage 4 most cancers. Will appreciated to be in a Spider-Man costume, and sooner or later, his grandfather joined him by additionally sporting a Spider-Man costume.

“He is now virtually 9 years previous,” famous Lee. “And he is wholesome as may be.”

“It takes a particular sort of individual to sit down in a chair for 2 hours with a needle of their arm,” mentioned Blood Donor Heart Supervisor Carmela Cavanaugh. “To try this greater than as soon as is fairly wonderful. To try this 20 occasions a 12 months is mind-blowing.”

Cavanaugh mentioned most individuals who want platelets are most cancers sufferers. He defined that chemotherapy kills wholesome cells and reduces platelet manufacturing. Platelets assist the blood to clot and cease lively bleeding.

“A few third of the inhabitants can donate blood, however lower than 5% do,” she added.

Blood shortages at hospitals means there is a fixed name for heroes to hitch the struggle in opposition to most cancers.

Even Lee is aware of he may use a couple of sidekicks for this trigger. He has further costumes on the prepared.

“A welder or a swimmer. I have been a caveman, I’ve come as a Viking,” mentioned Lee. “It is simply enjoyable stuff you do. It makes me really feel good, and it makes them really feel good. In order that’s the underside line, is all people ought to really feel good.”

By December, Lee expects to have accomplished 24 blood donations this 12 months alone. He mentioned he is already donated greater than 13 gallons of blood.

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