CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Donating blood has been a family tradition for Raymond Swadley, starting with his mother and father, and now his grandson.
Swadley, who is now 88 years old, first gave blood to the American Red Cross at the age of 2 in 1958. Over the years, he has given a total of 44 gallons to help who knows how many people.
Both of his parents were multi-gallon donors. “It was part of their lives. That was two generations, my mother and father and myself. When Max expressed a desire to give blood, it just really made me feel proud that it would be carried on in our family,” Swadley told Clarksville Now.
On March 16, Swadley stood beside his grandson, 16-year-old Max Swadley, as he made his first blood donation at the Red Cross office on Madison Street.
“It was pretty good; I couldn’t do a full pint because they said my blood started to clot up, but it was an enjoyable experience. I’m OK for continuing to donate blood, but I am probably not going to be able to until this summer,” Max Swadley said.
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He said his grandfather gave him a card with his first-ever blood pin from 1953.
“I want him to know how proud I am of him for doing this, and I hope he continues to do it all through his life,” Swadley said.
Mr. Swadley looking to reach 45-gallon mark
Stacey Levine, executive director of the Tennessee River Chapter of the Red Cross, praised the Swadley family.
“This grandfather-grandson moment shows how one person’s legacy of service can inspire the next. The American Red Cross of the Tennessee River is grateful to the Swadley family for helping strengthen our community through blood donation,” Levine said.
The older Swadley has been under treatment for cancer. His doctor said recently he was cancer free, but because of the treatment and still being on medication, he is not able to donate blood for a year, which will not be until March 2027.
“My goal after many years of giving was to give 50 gallons of blood. I’m up to 44 gallons and 4 pints, so I’ve got 4 more pints to reach 45 gallons,” Swadley said. “I think that will be my topping out point.”
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