Carrollwood Resident Wins Award for Blood Donation

Bob Wise's blood donations have paid off in a major way.

Wise, a business services technician for Verizon, has been inducted into the Florida Blood Services Donation Hall of Fame, sponsored by Fenwal Inc. The Hall of Fame recognizes people who are committed to blood donation.

Wise, 59, will be honored during a ceremony at 11 a.m. on Friday at FBS Corporate Headquarters, 10100 Dr. MLK Street N. in St. Petersburg. Wise is one of 12 inspiring donation stories across the country selected for the Fenwal 2011 Donation Hall of Fame, according to FBS.

Wise will receive a personalized award from Fenwal, and will be featured in the company’s 2012 product-dating calendar they provide to blood centers in the United States.

Patch caught up with Wise, whose mother taught her four sons to use their strengths to help others, and learned more about his history of giving blood.

Patch: How many times have you given blood?

Wise: Approximately 416 units of whole blood and platelets.

Patch: What was the first experience like for you, and how did you start giving blood?

Wise: An attractive recruiter from University Community Hospital's blood bank approached six male students outside the USF College of Engineering in 1970. All six donated. (It was) a hot pinch, and the donation process was easy.

Patch: What do you think is unique about FBS?

Wise: The Five Points of Life rides (a cross country bike ride that promotes the need for blood donations) have given me the opportunity to visit and observe blood banks in about 20 states, South Africa and Canada since 2004.

Patch: Do others in your family give blood often, too?

Wise: My father was a blood and platelet donor, but can no longer do so beause of medications. My three brothers and my son are blood and platelet donors.

Patch: How did you find out you won the FBS award, and what was your reaction?

Wise: In August, I was informed by email of my selection. It was a very pleasant surprise to join two Five Points of Life teammates and two FBS donors in such an illustrious company.