LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — What began as an effort to help her father, back in 1974, has now become a routine for Margaret Ristroph, making her one of the many appreciated donors of the Lourdes Blood Center.

Ristroph saw the importance of blood donation when her father was in need nearly 40 years ago.

“In 1974, my father was very ill,” she said. “He had lost a lot of blood. He was at the old Our Lady of the Lake Hospital in Baton Rouge.”

The event triggered her family to jump into action, but several of them were unable to donate due to health conditions.

“My husband and I were able to give, but people from the community stepped forward,” she said. “Strangers to me, maybe to my parents also and donated. Papa got 13 units without which he would have died.”

When strangers stepped up to give, it inspired Margaret, and thus a donor hero was born.

“These people we didn’t even know were giving,” she said.

That calling to donate took hold in the 1980’s, and after she had children and life slowed a bit, Margaret began giving on a more regular basis.

“It’s something not everyone can do, and so I was healthy and could do it,” she said

For nearly four decades, she’s donated nearly 10 gallons of her own blood to the Our Lady of Lourdes Blood Donor Center, which has saved the lives of many people in Acadiana.

“We may not all be Mother Teresa and go to India and save people, but we might be able to donate a unit at the blood bank and that will save somebody,” she said. “So, if you’re able, that’s a good thing.”

Suzy Picard, Supervisor of the Lourdes Blood Center, said blood donors like Margaret are becoming rare, so the hope is to create a new dedicated donor group.

“Her generation of blood donors were very regular and they were loyal and are still are,” Picard said. “Some are loyal and some of them are beginning to not be able to donate anymore.”

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