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Although we consider all of our blood donors heroes, Ardie O’Hanlon deserves special recognition for her faithful commitment to our Blood Donor Program. She is the first female donor to reach the incredible milestone of 300 blood donations!
Ardie began her blood donation story in 1972, six months after the birth of her oldest child. She mentioned that there really wasn’t a particular reason that moved her to become a blood donor. She just wanted to help people.
When asked if she had set any goals to get to this milestone, she replied, "I never thought about it too much until I was getting closer to my 100th donation." She recalls thinking to herself then: "’Wow! That’s a lot of blood!’ I just kept going."
Although she hasn’t known anyone personally who has required a blood transfusion, Ardie is extremely dedicated to her commitment to help us save lives - and that commitment makes a big difference! Ardie may never know how thankful others have been and will be to her for her selfless act of donating blood.
To commemorate Ardie’s milestone donation, she was presented with a beautiful heartbeat necklace that has a dangling pink heart signifying the lives she has helped to save. 
When asked what she would like to tell others about donation, she smiles and says: "It is easy to do. Everyone needs a heartbeat."
How to Donate
For more information about donating blood in Rochester, Minnesota, call (507) 284-4475 or email donateblood@mayo.edu. Or visit our webpage http://www.mayoclinic.org/donateblood.
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