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	The Manchester Enterprise A Heritage Newspaper Weekly Publication

Local resident sets personal goal with donation

World War II veteran gives 20 gallons of blood over 40 years

By Daniel Lai, Editor

PUBLISHED: May 8, 2008

For four decades Manchester resident Bob Punches has given hope to the sick and injured of Washtenaw County. Through the numerous Manchester Community Blood Drives, Punches has donated countless pints of blood.

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"I started giving blood following a tour of duty in World War II," he said. "I didn't mind giving it. It seemed like it could help someone else more than it would do me any good and I could easily replenish it."

Blood Drive Coordinator Marja Warner said Punches, who will turn 87 years old in July, has always been a favorite during blood drives.

"He is always smiling and because he knows most everyone, he jokes with them too," she said. "Having lived in Manchester all his adult life and with the raising of his family, he is known by several generations of donors. The youngest ones would sometimes even refer to him as 'grandpa,' because of their association with his kids and grandchildren."

Punches will reach a record 20-gallon milestone following the May 19 community drive.

"I think that will be my last one," he said. "Honestly I didn't think I would be going as long as I have."

Punches said he has always liked donating blood and hopes more volunteers contribute in the future.

"You have to want to give. You can't force anybody," he said.

Punches said the key to finding life-long donors is to start children at a young age.

"There's nothing to be scared of," he said. "I think it's great they started having blood drives at the high school. These kids learn the value of helping out someone else."

Warner said through Punches donations, he has helped 480 people with 160 pints of blood over the years.

"It's too bad more people aren't taking the time to be more generous," she said.

However, Punches said more nurses from the Red Cross are needed to help in Manchester in order to accommodate the number of donors.

"They started sending only a few nurses so people get disgusted and don't want to wait around all day," he said. "It isn't a lack of giving, it's a lack of manpower."

The Manchester Community Blood Drive will be held from 1 to 7 p.m. May 19 at the American Legion Hall. To be eligible to donate, the last date a potential donor could have given blood was March 24 -- Manchester's last community blood drive.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Marja Warner at 428-9506.

Editor Daniel Lai can be reached at 428-8173 or dlai@heritage.com.