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The Blood Matters Blog ·

Our Superhero Donor of 2024 Has the Tattoo to Prove It

What started as a way to "get out of class" ended up becoming a lifelong mission to save lives, again and again and again.

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Clayton Grubbs, OBI Superhero Blood Donor of 2024

For Clayton Grubbs, blood donation is more than just an act of kindness: it's a way of life. Having donated over 170 times, Clayton's dedication to saving lives has only grown stronger over the years. What began as a high school opportunity to skip class evolved into a lifelong passion that's left an indelible mark on his community.

Recently, Clayton took his commitment a step further... by getting a tattoo. Red, white and blue hands clasped in the shape of a blood drop, Clayton suspects it will be quite a conversation starter.

"I can tell them, 'I'm an avid blood donor,'" Clayton said, imagining what he might say when asked about his new ink. "Maybe I can even talk them into changing their mind about blood donations."

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A Superhero Origin Story

"I was in high school. They had a blood drive and I wanted to get out of class," he said with a chuckle.

It wasn't until serving in the Army Reserves that Clayton found himself in a donor chair again — for similar reasons, admittedly.

"[I got] out of work to go give blood," Clayton said. "Then I started realizing that there's more to it than that."

About 30 years ago, though, Clayton says he felt the lifesaving power of blood donation firsthand. His brother, who worked in construction, was badly injured.

"He got hit by a car while he was working on this job," he said. "He had to have several pints of blood."

His brother survived, but the harrowing experience left a lasting impression on Clayton.

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A Superhero Takes Flight

Now a platelet donor, Clayton is able to give more frequently. Platelet donation takes a little more time than giving whole blood, but Clayton says he doesn’t mind.

"It gives me time to think about stuff that I really wouldn't have time to do in other places," he explained.

His dedication extends beyond the donor chair, as evidenced by his time in the tattoo chair. But that's not all: Clayton recently began volunteering at Our Blood Institute events to help spread awareness about the importance of blood donation.

He's become a passionate advocate for giving blood over the years, whether it's encouraging people to overlook a fear of needles — "just think of the pain that the person is going through that needs the blood" — sharing his story, or leading by example each time he books another platelet appointment.

Depending on your blood type, you may be an ideal candidate for platelet donation! Check out our new blood type hub below for info related to your blood type and how you can maximize your donation.

What Your Blood Type Says About How You Should Donate

OBI's Superhero Donor of 2024

Clayton may be the OBI Superhero Donor of 2024, but make no mistake: hardware isn't his motivation. It's saving lives, as he puts it, for as long as he's "still upright."

Congratulations, Clayton, for our inaugural superhero blood donor award! More than that, thank you for all that you do.

Ready to make an impact like Clayton? Come donate with us and who knows, maybe you'll be OBI's Superhero Donor of 2025!

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  • OBI blood donor Clayton Grubbs receiving blood donation tattoo