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As the old saying goes, “A pint’s a pound, the world around.”
For Jim Hotop, a habitual blood donor, that mark is a little higher — 200 times higher. The Perryville resident donated his 200th pint Tuesday during an American Red Cross blood drive at the Perry Park Center, pushing his lifetime total to 25 gallons.
Hotop donated his first pint of blood in 1972 in Perryville. His mother is the reason he made the donation.
“She donated 14 gallons before she passed,” Hotop said.
Hotop said he continues to donate because he feels wonderful for about two or three days after he donates. “It gives you a lot of energy,.. new blood,” he said.
Hotop encourages anyone who has not donated to do so.
“A lot of lives can be saved and for a few minutes of your time, it is well worth it,” Hotop said.
According to estimates from the American Red Cross, Hotop’s donations equate to approximately 600 lives saved.
Hotop has two granddaughters that donate.
Hotop has had one brother who had to receive blood as well as his mother. Hotop has never received blood “I just give it” Hotop said
Hotop has donated in Perryville, Frohna, St. Genevieve, Jackson, Biehle, and Cape Girardeau.
Hotop said “another thing you can say, is that today I lost 200 pounds, it’s one more way to look at it.”
After Hotop was finished giving his 200 th pint, he was escorted to a special table that Volunteer Coordinator Veda Sutterer and Red Cross Donor Recruitment Account Manager Mindy Hendrix set up with 600 hearts, 25 red balloons and gold balloons saying “200”.
Blood donors, Red Cross workers and volunteers all joined in to help Hotop celebrate this milestone.
Hotop showed everyone his pin collection. “I have every pin now that Mindy has given me the only one I was missing, my gallon pin.” Hotop’s 25 gallon pin will come to him in the mail soon.
Hotop is eligible to donate blood again in 56 days, the next blood drive in Perryville is March 10 at the Perry Park Center, noon to 6 p.m.
