For Vietnam veteran, giving is in his blood

By Jim Killackey

Published: July 4, 2008

When lives are tragically lost or placed in danger, Jack Warner wants to be in line to help.

As he's done for decades, Warner, 60, was in line on Thursday to give of himself, to do something he considers a civic duty — giving his type A-negative blood.

Warner was among those who donated blood during the Oklahoma Blood Institute's All-American Drive at State Fair Park.

He has donated so much that the pint of blood he gave Thursday placed him at the rare 10-gallon mark, according to blood institute records.

Only 3 percent of the institute's donor base of more than 125,000 individuals have reached the 10-gallon goal. "It takes a lot of dedication to reach that milestone,” said Jennifer Billings, blood institute media specialist.

Each donation is a pint, or unit, of blood. Ten gallons equals 80 pints. But Warner has not given only blood at the blood institute.

"Nobody should never have to wait for blood because there's a shortage,” said Warner, a Vietnam veteran and Oklahoma City businessman. "If they can, good citizens should donate blood on a regular basis.”

Warner, a 1965 Midwest City High School graduate, enlisted in the Army after graduation. While serving in Vietnam, he broke his left leg in three places jumping out of a helicopter.

During his recovery and well before he was discharged, Warner became a regular blood donor. "The guys in Vietnam needed blood,” particularly those requiring his blood type of A-negative, he said. Warner estimates he gave gallons of blood while in the military.

As a civilian, Warner worked in state wheat fields and for the railroad. He also worked for a south Oklahoma City hardware store and for 27 years as a John Hancock Insurance agent. Currently, he inspects homes and commercial buildings for potential buyers. He recently earned an associate degree in construction from Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City.

Through it all he never stopped donating blood.

He rushed to be a blood donor after the Murrah Building bombing, the 1999 tornadoes and the 9/11 attacks.

Warner also has made donations at college, church and Rotary Club blood drives.

Blood donations are a good way to give back to your community and save people's lives, he said.

"You shouldn't be scared to give, you're in and out in no time ... and you get drinks and cookies.”

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