During Thursday’s blood clinic in Orillia, the Trombly family marked a milestone: 142 donations — 125 of which have come from the patriarch.
Joe Trombly assumed the familiar position in the chair at the Best Western Plus Mariposa Inn and Conference Centre. Once his 125th donation was collected, he looked to his left. Two seats down, his daughter, Danielle Trombly, was about to give blood for the fifth time.
“I’m proud,” Joe said. “It’s kind of special.”
Next up was his son, Chris Trombly, making his 12th donation.
“I’m going to get too old to give, so they’ve got to keep it going,” Joe said.
Joe’s kids decided to start donating blood for the same reasons he did: His father was a donor, and it’s a simple way to make a big difference.
“I grew up seeing my dad do it my entire life. I saw the example he was setting and the difference he was making,” Danielle said. “It’s really special that he’s given back to the community. Who knows how many lives saved?”
“That’s the first thing that comes to mind — all the lives he’s touched with his donations,” Chris agreed. “It’s astounding.”
Chris made his first donation because of his dad, and because he asked himself a rhetorical question: “Why not?”
“It’s one of the least time-consuming things to do and it’s effective,” he said. “How could anyone argue its benefits?”
As Joe put it plainly, “It doesn’t hurt to help out a bit. If we all did that, the world would be a better place.”
He’s now eyeing a new milestone: 200 donations.
“I’ve done the math,” he said. “It could happen.”
For more information about giving blood and to find upcoming clinics in the area, click here.
