50 years of giving the gift of life for Waynesboro man

It’s American Red Cross month and a Waynesboro man knows all too well the value of supporting one of the important functions of the organization.

Edward Kisslak of Harrison Avenue recently donated his 240th pint of blood to the American Red Cross. That’s 30 gallons.

He began donating blood 50 years ago to help out an Air Force buddy’s ill daughter. Kisslak hasn’t stopped since and is the leading blood donor in Franklin County.

Kisslak is a retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant with 33 years of military service, including 10 years overseas. While in the Air Force, he played four years of service football and earned two associate degrees and a bachelor degree.

In addition to his donor acitivities, Kisslak stays active as the exercise instructor at the Waynesboro Senior Center, as a docent at the basilica in Emmitsburg, Md. and as a tutor at the Fairview Elementary School in Waynesboro.

The American Red Cross will hold a bloodmobile in Greencastle next week. Donors will be accepted from noon to 6 p.m. Monday, March 26 at the Greencastle Church of the Brethren, 36 S. Carlisle St.

Donors must be 17 years of age or older (16 with parental permission), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Donors may give every 56 days.

Donors should eat within 3 to 4 hours before donating. Donors should present a blood donor card or other identification when donating.

To schedule an appointment to donate, call the American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (800-448-3543) or visit www.redcrosslife.org