Saving is in his blood

The saying is true; not all heroes wear capes.

Virgil Trenado is a humble man but inside burns a very competitive spirit and a very competitive heart.

“Those are two things the Lord gave me,” Trenado said. “The Lord has really blessed me.”

Trenado was a huge part of the political scene back in the day in Louisiana and was even Mayor of Gillam where he lived for 42 years. He’s ran in marathons and has been a substitute teacher over a 9-year span.

To many in this area, he is a Gideon who speaks at churches and hands out Bibles. To others he’s a devoted Shriner who was Potentate of the El Karubah Shriners in Shreveport in 2008.

“I’m very active for my age,” Trenado remarked. He will be 89 as of July 17 of this year.

Then there’s the steadfast blood recruiter. The Blood Drive Chairman.

Not only has he recruited people for blood drives since the 60s, but he’s also given almost 48 gallons of blood over his life span.

That’s equivalent to saving 1,152 lives. And that’s from just one man. I’ll say it again; not all heroes wear capes.

“Back in the old days you had to be 21 and weigh 150 pounds to donate blood, but I was able to give blood for the first time at 18 only weighing 125 pounds,” Trenado said. “I joined a Masonic Lodge in Belcher in 1964, and they were big into blood drives so I recruited for them as many as I could get to come and donate.”

Working for Mobil Oil he was able to orchestrate some pretty amazing opportunities for those out on the offshore sites to donate as well.

Donating blood isn’t just beneficial for the recipient. It’s beneficial for the donor as well.

Regular blood donation is linked to reduced risk of cardiovascular issues, improved iron levels and potential cancer risk reduction.

Present day blood drives are out in full force but the turnout is very low. The Red Cross issued an emergency appeal for donations.

“Before the AIDS epidemic we had 175 people donate in one day with two buses at a location in Vivian which was a record,” Trenado remarked. “I’m willing to get out and help LifeShare draw in as many people as possible.”

Trenado is still going strong at 88 and doesn’t intend on hanging up his cape anytime soon, even if he doesn’t wear one.