TIVERTON/PORTSMOUTH — John G. Edwards (D-Dist. 70-Portsmouth, Tiverton) has spent a lot of time rolling up his sleeves for the Rhode Island Blood Center.

So much in fact that the majority whip for the House of Representatives recently made his 800th blood donation for the center.

You read that right. Rep. Edwards is one of only five Rhode Island donors who have reached the 100-gallon milestone.

The lawmaker donates platelets, which are especially needed for people fighting cancer, every two weeks. Some platelet donors can give a triple donation every two weeks, and Rep. Edwards is one of them. 

He’s been donating blood since 1999, making his first platelet donation in 2005, according to the Rhode Island Blood Center.

“Of all the achievements in my life, I take special pride in this one, because I know how much it’s needed, and how many people can be saved,” said Rep. Edwards. “Every time you give a pint of blood, you walk out of the donor center knowing that you may very well have saved somebody’s life. There’s not much that compares with that.”

The Rhode Island Blood Center thanked Rep. Edwards in a Facebook post.

“Jay, it’s hard to find words to express our gratitude for your unwavering dedication to saving lives, not to mention your passionate advocacy for blood donation,” the post stated. “We are simply in awe of the way you show up to help someone else in Rhode Island and beyond with a smile on your face every time.”

To make an appointment to donate blood or platelets at the Aquidneck Island, Providence, Warwick, South County, Woonsocket or Westerly donor centers, call 800/283-8385 or visit www.ribc.org.