Man donates blood to Cedars-Sinai in LA twice a month for last 17 years

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- For many, the sight of a needle and blood can be dreadful, but Fred Zaidman, 62, isn't fazed because he's been donating twice a month for the last 17 years.

Zaidman made his 273rd blood and platelet donation to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center's blood donor services.

"Which makes him the all-time highest number of donations any donor has made for our program in the last 40 years," said Shawn Wittmier, supervisor of blood donor services.

MORE: Red Cross, hospitals seeing shortage of blood donations

It's personal for Zaidman because his father received a life-saving transfusion at the same hospital 17 years ago.

"Six strangers came into this hospital to donate their blood. I don't know who they were, but they saved my father's life," he said. "I was so appreciative and grateful, I decided I'm going to do it for somebody else."

As Cedars-Sinai celebrates its blood donor services' 40th anniversary, hospital staff hopes other people will do the same, especially as hospitals across the country experience a blood shortage during the summer.

The hospital encourages people to stop by or visit their website, www.cedars-sinai.edu, for information on mobile blood drives.