ABOVE: Dustin McKean, left, and Kelley Becker, both of Valero Renewables, recently took part in the Welcome community blood drive, which is hosted by the company. Becker reached a milestone, having donated 21 gallons over the course of his life, and received a certificate of achievement from the American Red Cross.

WELCOME– Kelley Becker, an employee of Valero Renewables, has recently reached a milestone when it comes to donating blood. Becker has donated 21 gallons, a feat not many people meet.

Dustin McKean, lead Health, Safety and Environmental Specialist at Valero, said the company began sponsoring the Welcome community blood drive in 2016. Prior to that, there was no community blood drive in Welcome. McKean said they hold it three times a year in partnership with St. Paul’s United Church of Christ.

The blood drive happened Monday of this week and while he doesn’t have numbers yet, McKean said they typically get about 40 to 45 donors.

A regular donor himself, McKean said they encourage employees to donate or volunteer at the drive, but a good amount of the Welcome community shows up as well.

Becker said his first time donating blood was while he was attending college in Marshall, MN in the late 1970s. He admitted he was nervous to give his first donation.

After that, Becker said he spent about 20 years on the road for work and once the American Red Cross started putting information about blood drives online it became easy for him to find places to donate.

“I was traveling all over and if I knew there was going to be one in the area, it was easy and quick to stop and donate,” Becker said.

He has continued to donate whenever he can, which is every eight weeks. Becker shared he has O blood so he can also give double red every 16 weeks.

Becker has donated blood 167 times. Since each donation can potentially save more than one life, he’s likely helped hundreds. He estimates he’s donated in about 50 different places.

“It seems like they have a lot more places than they used to have. Blood drives seem to be more frequent,” Becker said.

He’s been employed with Valero for eight years and has donated at its blood drive a number of times as well.

Along with donating at his work place’s drive, Becker, who lives in Okabena, will drive quite a few miles to donate at a blood drive though he said he typically sticks within 30 miles. He’s donated at drives in Fairmont, Lakeview, Worthington, Windom and Estherville.

Susan Thesenga, regional communications manager for American Red Cross, said Becker is a dedicated donor to reach the milestone as not many people do.

“Most people donate once or twice a year, and we’re grateful for that, but in reality you can donate every 56 days,” Thesenga said.

She said most people don’t keep up with it like that, but the fact that Becker has shows his dedication.

Thesenga said that while they’re coming out of the blood crisis, the blood supply remains incredibly vulnerable, especially now that elective surgeries which were delayed during Covid are happening now.

“It’s really critical that people sign up to donate blood so patients don’t have to go without it. Accidents also happen every day so it’s good to be prepared. It’s important we ensure hospitals have the blood they need to reach all of those demands,” Thesenga said.

Becker said in addition to donating blood being quick and easy to do, the people who work at the drives are always friendly and appreciative.

“I think his commitment is awesome. Usually within a few days that he can donate he tries to which shows his commitment and how many lives he can help save,” McKean said.