Dedication to Donation

Every time the Red Cross shows up in Lincoln for their blood drives, they know they'll be seeing Rich Paul and his trusty four-legged sidekick Whiskey.

Last month, ABC Fox Montana Producer Joee Taylor came to Lincoln to interview Paul during the Red Cross Blood Drive at the Lincoln Community Hall after he was selected as their August Good Samaritan for his dedication to blood donation.

In the last 61 years, Paul has donated 216 units of blood. That works out to nearly 26 gallons. Or, if you consider that the Red Cross' says one unit of blood can save up to three people, that's nearly 650 lives.

Paul, who spent 33 years with the Montana Air National Guard, began donating blood in 1961, while he was in training at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. A girl with cancer needed blood and his training Instructor said they were offering half a day off to donors.

"I hadn't given blood before, but my mother had. She'd given quite a bit," Paul told Taylor, adding he thought "now's the chance to get started."

Since then, Paul has donated blood as often as possible.

"I got plenty of it. why not share it?" he asked.

Paul has now surpassed an early inspiration for his donations. He recalled seeing a list of top donors many years ago. One of them was a priest who had donated 25 gallons, a volume he never expected to reach.

To see his interview, go to montanarightnow.com or just search for 'montana-man-has-donated-blood-for-61-years."

Last October, Paul was also highlighted in the story "'Makes my heart feel good': Montana man donates blood for six decades" by the Red Cross. That story ran in several outlets in March for Red Cross Month.

ABC Fox Montana is partnering with The Advocates Injury Attorneys on the Good Samaritan to highlight Good Samaritans who are nominated from across Montana. Every month they review the entries and choose the most deserving nominee.