16-Year-Old Carter Dill is Saving Lives by Donating Blood

The COVID-19 pandemic changed the world as we know it, but during this time of crisis, we also saw amazing stories of hope and help from people all around us. And one of those people is 16-year-old Carter Dill who is determined to make a difference.

“I am donating blood because I think it's a very good and effective way to give back to my community,” said Carter.

This idea of giving back is not new to Carter. He’s been waiting and wanting to donate blood, but he never realized that he’d start donating during the pandemic when blood donations are so needed.

“My mom told me that because of COVID-19, there was a huge loss of blood, so a lot of people needed it,” said Carter.

Blood drives were canceled last year due to the pandemic, so Carter, who was newly eligible to donate was excited to jump into action. His mom, Dr. Laura Dill, a gynecologist, and a blood donor already, encouraged him to join her.

“I said to him, you know, you're 16, you're old enough, let's go give blood. And so, he said, all right, let's do it,” said Dr. Dill.

“And, you know, I just thought that was really cool. And that was kind of a huge thing for her to do. And I feel like, you know, I could do a little better, you know, I wasn't really doing much,” said Carter.

But the OneBlood team begs to differ with Carter--a young 16-year-old committed to saving lives is huge!

Joel Corujo, a OneBlood team member, was asked how he felt seeing a mother and son come here together and donate blood.

“I feel good because that mean’s the mother is teaching the son to start helping people at a young age, so then when he grows up, he can continue doing it by himself, and then he can save hundreds of lives,” said Joel.

“I think the biggest lesson I think that as a parent I would like to pass on to my children is as we are so fortunate to be able to give back to those that are not as fortunate and for somebody 16 to start donating blood now, and to think that he might do this for the rest of his life gives such an impact to society,” said Dr. Dill.

Dr. Laura Dill, her son Carter Dill, and Sarina Fazan, respectively, at OneBlood

But Carter doesn’t want to stop there. He wants to challenge all 16-year-olds who are eligible to donate blood to join him in his life-saving mission.

“It’s just giving back in any way you possibly can. And I’m 16; I’m kind of limited to what I can do, and I’ll do everything that I can, and this is just a quick and easy way to do it,” said Carter.

He continues, “And I feel like you kind of get a lot out of it because you know that you're helping save other people's lives.”

If you’re about to turn 16, or like Carter, are already 16, you have the opportunity to share your power to save lives.

To join Carter’s life-saving mission you can head to a OneBlood Donation Center or One Blood’s Big Red Bus.

Visit their website for more information: https://www.oneblood.org/