Man donates blood for more than 50 years

Eldon Nephew never saw the lives he saved by giving blood.

Nephew, 80, started regularly donating blood more than 50 years ago. He always knew he was “giving the gift of life.”

Now, after being diagnosed with leukemia in December 2008, he sees first-hand how donated blood saves lives, specifically his own.

Watching Nephew, an administrative pastor and minister, stand for hours greeting and hugging every person who walks in and out of New Life Community Church on Sundays, most people wouldn’t know that cheerful man has been undergoing chemotherapy treatments to battle cancer.

“I blame it on the Lord,” he said about his energy. “He’s the one that keeps me going.”

Nephew must undergo blood transfusions after chemo treatments to restore his red blood cell count. So far this year, he received 13 pints of blood.

His church family did more than just pray for him. New Life held a blood drive earlier this year, donating 40 pints in his name.

“Better to give than receive,” said Joey White, a 35-year-old associate pastor at New Life. “Much like Eldon, there may come a time when you may need it.”

White was glad to give blood for someone always willing to contribute to others. White sees Nephew as a mentor and financial advisor, as Nephew was an accountant before becoming a minister. Nephew only missed his church small group activities when he was hospitalized.

Nephew’s wife for the past nine years, Lois, said Eldon remains kind, helpful and uncomplaining.

Nothing brings him down. When he and his late first wife found out they couldn’t have children, they raised 40 foster kids throughout a 48-year marriage.

Lois would like the community to follow her husband’s example.

“It’s a shame a lot of people don’t give blood,” she said.

Nephew urges those who are able to give blood to do so.

“Without it, people die. You never see the results,” he said. “You just have to believe and understand that’s what’s happening. They’re always in need of blood.”

Of course, the Danville Regional Blood Donor Center is always in critical need for blood donations, said Karen Chappelle, donor center coordinator.

Wrecks, violent crimes, cancer and surgeries happen, she said. All the blood donated here stays in the community. Every pint of blood has the potential to save three lives, as the blood donor center breaks it down into plasma, platelets and red blood cells.

“It would be so great if people in the community could have a better awareness of the importance of donating blood,” Chappelle said.

Donate
Donate blood by visiting the Danville Regional Blood Donor Center in the Danville Regional Professional Building at 201 S. Main St. in Suite 1300. The center stays open Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Or, look for a Bloodmobile at a local blood drive:
• Today: Columbia Flooring in Danville from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
• Thursday: Green Rock Correctional Center in Chatham from 3 to 7 p.m.
• Saturday: Mount Olivet United Methodist Church in Danville from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. and American Legion Post 325 in Danville from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• Oct. 7: American National Bank on Main Street in Danville from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Oct. 10: Lakewood Evangelical Methodist Church off U.S. Route 58 East outside Danville from 9 am to 1 p.m.
• Oct. 11: Christ Episcopal Church in Danville from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
• Oct. 15: Virginia Department of Transportation on U.S. Route 29 North in Chatham from 7 to 11 a.m.
• Oct. 17:  Guildfield Missionary Baptist Church in Dry Fork from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
To set up a blood drive at your facility, call Karen Chappelle at 434-799-2262.