Skip to Content

Man to reach 100 gallons in lifetime blood donations in La Quinta

A Big Bear City man is set to be recognized on Tuesday for reaching 100 gallons in lifetime blood donations during a donor ceremony in La Quinta.

Jonathan Bechtel, 73, will complete the milestone during a noontime ceremony at LifeStream Blood Bank’s La Quinta donor center.

According to the Coachella Valley blood bank, Bechtel will be the 19th donor to reach the 100-gallon donation mark in LifeStream’s history and the first to do so at the La Quinta donor center.

Read: LifeStream Nine Cities Blood Drive Challenge awards

Bechtel’s donating began in 1964, when he said he gave blood for a badly injured friend who hurt himself “riding his unicycle down the 405 Freeway during rush hour.”

That moment led the military veteran and Tucson native to donate regularly over the next 50 years. Bechtel donates platelets rather than whole blood, allowing him to donate frequently enough to reach the 100-gallon plateau, according to LifeStream.

“If the topic ever comes up with a non-donor, I simply point out that with an hour or two of minor inconvenience you can literally save a life,” Bechtel said. “Literally save a life — thank about that for a second. Can you possibly think of a stronger motivation?”

More: Today’s Top Stories

First Alert Forecast

More: I-Team and Stands for You investigations

Find us on Facebook: KESQ News Channel 3 & CBS Local 2

Follow us on Twitter for breaking news updates: @KESQ & @Local2

We’re on Instagram! @KESQ_News_Channel_3 & @CBSLocal2

Watch live newscasts

Noticias en español: Telemundo 15

Article Topic Follows: News

Jump to comments ↓

KESQ News Team

BE PART OF THE CONVERSATION

News Channel 3 is committed to providing a forum for civil and constructive conversation.

Please keep your comments respectful and relevant. You can review our Community Guidelines by clicking here

If you would like to share a story idea, please submit it here.

Skip to content