A family affair

by Aimee Seim<br>Herald Staff Writer
| April 13, 2006 9:00 PM

Father and son donate blood every eight weeks at Samaritan Hospital as a way to give back to their

community

MOSES LAKE — Giving blood isn't something too many people look forward to doing.

Dave Campbell and his father Jim are an exception.

They not only enjoy giving blood, they have been doing it together every eight weeks for the past three years through the Inland Northwest Blood Center at Samaritan Hospital.

"I just happened to show up one day (to give blood) and he was here," Dave said of his dad. "We thought, well, we ought to come in together."

"We're getting to the point now where we know the people," Jim said.

They are one of very few father-and-son teams who come in together to give blood.

Their visits every eight weeks are much anticipated by blood center staff who say their jokes and friendly demeanor have made for many a fun afternoon.

"They always bring a smile to our face when they come in," said staff member Merry Walker.

Jokes about the latest sports news, stories about grandchildren and the latest plans with family are all part of the experience of going to give blood for the Campbells.

Jim began giving blood in 1950 when his wife's grandmother needed blood and he wanted to help. His wife also needed blood unexpectedly in the early 1960s.

Both experiences inspired Jim to consider continuing to give blood as a way of helping others in need.

"I just think it's a good way to give back to the community," Jim said. "I'll probably just give as long as I'm able," he said.

Within the Campbell household Jim is known for strongly encouraging other family members such as Dave's sister Suanne, who recently began donating, to start giving blood.

"She said she had to carry on the Campbell tradition," Jim said of Suanne.

Most important to Jim and his son is that the blood they donate stays locally in the Basin.

INBC collects blood from 30 hospitals in the Inland Northwest region, needing 150 units of blood a day from donor sites to meet demand.

On a recent Monday the Campbells' trip to the blood donor center ended with celebration. A small cake congratulated Jim on reaching the 10-gallon mark for his blood donations. Dave recently reached the two-gallon mark for his contributions.

"I was looking forward to the day of him getting to the 10-gallon mark," Walker said.