Mail clerk at Scott AFB donates 100th pint of blood Published March 14, 2012 By Airman 1st Class Jake Eckhardt 375th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- Sheila Terrando, Air Force Network Integration Center mail clerk, gave her 100th pint of blood Tuesday at Scott Air Force Base. "There are so many people who need blood, and there's not enough blood to go around," Terrando said. Terrando started donating blood in January of 1980 when she was a student of Patricia Steven's Career College in St. Louis. "I've always felt that it was important to donate," she said. "Everyone can't give blood, so I do my part." As she furthered her career past college, she found a way to help where she went. Stephanie Pitt, Scott Air Force Base Red Cross manager, said, "She is a very tenacious and determined woman when it comes to donating blood." Terrando does more than the average blood donor. She goes the extra mile to help out. "She reminds everyone she comes in contact with about the upcoming blood drives," said Pitt. "She doesn't stop until she gets an appointment out of you." Ever since she has started donating at Scott in 1995, Terrando has volunteered as well as donated. She has served as a canteen host and a receptionist. A canteen host is the person who monitors the blood donors in the recovery area. "She has won several awards just from volunteering over the years," said Pitt. "When she's not donating, she is at a table promoting." After 32 years of donating and volunteering, Terrando doesn't plan on stopping. She said she will continue to give blood while she can. "One day, I would love to break the world record of giving blood," she said. Her motivation behind selflessly getting pricked time after time has been more for others than herself. "You're giving a person another chance at life," she said. Every pint of blood that is donated can save up to three lives. The blood from Scott goes to multiple blood banks around Illinois. Pitt said, "I am so thankful for every person who takes the time out of their lives to donate. There is a large population of people who aren't able to donate. Even though they can't donate they can still help by educating those who can donate or by volunteering." There are a number of qualifications one must have to be able to donate. To find a list of the qualifications, visit www.redcrossblood.org. Terrando said, "I would like to encourage everyone to donate blood, even if it is only once or twice a year." For more information on donating or volunteering, call Stephanie Pitt at 256-3292.