Most blood donated: John Sheppard sets world record (HD Video)
FORT MYERS, FL, USA -- A regular blood donor for the past 60 years, Fort Myers resident John Sheppard gave his 315th pint of blood through the Lee Memorial Health System - setting the new world record for Most blood donated - whole blood. Photo: John Sheppard, 78, of Fort Myers, prepares to donate his Guinness World Records-breaking 315th pint of blood at Lee Memorial Hospital in Fort Myers. (enlarge photo)
The Guinness world record for the most blood donated was 231 whole blood donations by Phillip Baird (Australia).
Guinness World Records also recognized the world record for the most blood pressure readings taken in 8 hours: 3,252 - achieved by the Bahrain Medical Society in cooperation with Manama Youth Centre in Imam Hussain Street in Manama, Bahrain.
"About 10 years ago I started getting these certificates from Lee Memorial, but I never thought about any record or anything," he said.
"When I walk out of here, every time I'm on a high because I just feel so good--you've done something worthwhile."
Before he donated 500 mL of blood around 11 a.m., he told the room full of media and community members that donating blood has not been about him, but rather about a good friend who was wounded in Korea in 1951.
Sheppard said he also wants to encourage people when they are young to start donating their blood because he began when he was young.
Official witnesses in attendance to record the event for the Book of World Records included Chairman of the Lee County Board of Commissioners Frank Mann, the Rev. David Deitzel, Dr. F. Lee Howington and former mayor for the city of Fort Myers. Jim Humphrey.
Since all of the blood donated through the Lee Memorial Blood Center stays in the community, with almost 39 gallons of blood donated, it is estimated Sheppard has saved almost 1,000 lives.
