LifeStream Celebrates Benny Croyle Reaching 100 Gallons in Blood Donations

Benny Croyle needs a better publicist. Earlier this year, the 82-year-old San Bernardino resident became the sixth LifeStream blood donor to reach the 100-gallon plateau in blood donations. But the soft-spoken man with the big heart allowed the landmark donation to quietly come and go. Now, with Croyle on the verge of 102 gallons given, LifeStream formally celebrated his achievement before cheering staff and fellow blood donors Wednesday, Dec. 9 at LifeStream’s San Bernardino Donor Center. Giving blood may have been “just another donation” for Benny, but he and wife Jane will mark their own milestone of dedication Friday, Dec. 18 when they celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. Jane and their daughter Kathy, also a blood donor, were in attendance Wednesday as the “Benny Croyle” story was outlined by Rick Axelrod, MD, LifeStream’s president, CEO and medical director. Referring to Croyle reaching 100 gallons without appropriate fanfare, Axelrod quipped that “Benny, you are an incredibly selfless individual, but a lousy self-promoter.” Actually, if Croyle had had his way years ago, he would have reached the milestone sooner. He wanted to give blood when serving in the US Air Force, but was prohibited from doing so since he flew. He was transferred to Norton AFB in 1969 and has lived in San Bernardino ever since. Soon after becoming a regular blood donor in 1974, the Kansas native began chairing blood drives for the County of San Bernardino, for which he worked in the agricultural division. One of his and wife Jane’s grandsons is a regular platelets donor, just like grandpa, and is approaching membership in LifeStream’s 10-Gallon Donor Club. LifeStream presented Croyle with a framed certificate hailing the achievement and Axelrod promised that “Santa soon will be bringing you a very, very rare 100-gallon polo shirt.” Representatives from the offices of Sen. Mike Morrell and Assemblyman Marc Steinorth also presented Croyle with commendations.