Sherman Blocher drinks cranberry juice as he makes his 901st blood donation on Wednesday at the Nebraska Community Blood Bank. Blocher, 90, made his first donation at the blood bank in 1968. Over the years, he's donated 110 gallons of blood, helping more than 2,700 people.
More than 50 years ago, Sherman Blocher spotted a newspaper ad for a new blood bank in Lincoln that caught his eye.
“It said that if a family donated one pint of blood, then the entire family would be covered if they needed blood at free of cost,†Blocher said. “I had four kids and a wife and I figured, ‘Hey, that’s a heck of a deal.’â€
His first donation quickly turned into another, then 10, then 100, and on Wednesday, 901 when the 90-year-old donated blood once again at the Nebraska Community Blood Bank at 84th and O streets.
“I don’t know why I continued, but I'm glad I did,†said Blocher. “I keep telling these people here that as long as you’ll take my blood, I’ll give it to you."
Since his first donation in 1968, Blocher has returned for 56 years to donate blood. His 901 donations total more than 110 gallons of blood, helping more than 2,700 people.
People are also reading…
“As I donated for all these years, I found out that it helps so many people and they can split the blood up and do different things with it,†said Blocher, who grew up in Minneapolis and later moved to Lincoln. “I just continued donating and it’s just a way of life for me to try to be of service.â€
While his wife and kids never needed the free blood through his blood bank membership like the newspaper ad promised, Blocher said it's been an essential donation for others.
Gage Hayes (left) schedules the next appointment for 90-year-old Sherman Blocher as he makes his 901st blood donation on Wednesday at the Nebraska Community Blood Bank. Blocher said he usually schedules his appointments for 9:30 a.m. on Wednesdays every other week.
“That’s something that you can’t replace ... other than (with) other blood,†Blocher said. “Two of my boys are doctors and my daughter is a nurse and I just hear stories through their years that people had surgery and they needed blood and they needed transfusions.â€
In his nearly six decades of donating, Blocher said he’s only been rejected twice for having a low blood cell count or iron levels. He also sticks to healthy foods and stays hydrated to maintain a healthy blood supply.
Kari Lundeen, the blood bank's community outreach representative, said there are four different types of donations: whole blood, power red, platelet and plasma.Â
Whole blood donations, which are the most common, take everything including blood, plasma and platelets. Power red donations take only the oxygen-rich red cells, returning the plasma and platelets.
People can safely donate whole blood every eight weeks, red cells every 16 weeks, platelets every seven days up to 24 times each year and plasma every 28 days.
About a pint of blood is taken at every donation and most adults have between eight to 12 pints of blood in their body. The blood volume is replaced within 24 hours and red cells are replaced within four to eight weeks after donating.
Blocher donated whole blood until 2000 when he switched to donating platelets and plasma. It has become a routine — he tries to donate every other week on Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. He enjoys cranberry juice while he donates and then chocolate milk afterward.
“It’s just a joy to come here and be with positive people,†Blocher said. “To spend an hour, two hours here, is a joy for me.â€
Blocher’s consistent donations have been a cornerstone for the blood bank as Lundeen said they’ve seen a 20% drop in donors. On Dec. 2, the blood bank declared a blood emergency when blood types reached below three-days' worth of supply.
“The need for blood is constant, the need for blood doesn’t take a holiday,†Lundeen said.
Since the blood bank’s opening in 1968, Lundeen said several others have donated more than a thousand times, but Blocher has the record for the longest history of donations with the Nebraska Community Blood Bank.
While Wednesday’s donation was monumental, Blocher will be stepping away from blood donations for a while as he travels to the Dominican Republic for a month in January. Blocher also went there earlier this year and had to wait three months to donate again because of malaria risk.
Sherman Blocher, who made his 901st blood donation at the Nebraska Community Blood Bank on Wednesday, is going to the Dominican Republic in January. In his absence, people are encouraged to give blood and alert staff they are "donating for Sherman."Â
“That’s four months this year that I didn’t get to donate and I felt guilty,†Blocher said.
To make up for his absence, the Nebraska Community Blood Bank is calling on first-time donors to step up and fill in the gap. To keep track of how many people are donating for Blocher, Lundeen said to alert the front desk if they are "donating for Sherman" upon arriving at their appointment.
“I just think it’s important and if my doing this for 900 times encourages anyone else to come and donate, that’s fine,†Blocher said. “I’m anxious to see if some people will take up the challenge and come in here and donate.â€
5 common nutritional deficiencies that could be affecting your day-to-day life
Getting the right nutrients
Although food is abundant in the United States, many people still don't get enough of the right nutrients. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only met the recommended fruit and vegetable intake in 2019, leading to a lack of nutrients that can help boost their immunity and prevent severe illnesses.
Apart from having a healthy diet of at least a day, as recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, consumers also have access to an array of dietary options, supplements, and nutrient-rich drinks that can boost nutrient levels that could help them meet their daily nutritional goals. Even then, it's difficult to know where the root of the problem begins and what to consume more of.
dove into the science and research, primarily from the and , to find five common nutritional deficiencies and how to spot them.
One potential reason for present-day deficiencies is malabsorption, which happens when the body doesn't properly process nutrients. Malabsorption issues could occur in any part of the digestion process, from the breaking down of food to elimination from the body. People with this issue often experience diarrhea.
Another culprit could also be too much sugar. In a study published by Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, researchers found that individuals with diets where experience deficiencies in vitamins A, C, and E, plus magnesium.
Even for those focused on eating healthy food and avoiding sugar, avoiding nutrient deficiencies can seem like a part-time job. Trusted doctors may not have enough training to give guidance. In by medical schools in the U.S. and the U.K. from 2015 and 2020 published by the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics in 2022, researchers found that students only received an average of 11 hours of training in nutrition throughout the program compared with the 25 nutrition training hours recommended by the National Academy of Sciences in 1985.
For those who may want additional guidance, the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics has to search for credentialed experts who can help develop a game plan for getting enough nutrients. In the meantime, here are five common nutritional deficiencies to watch out for and how to address them. The  noted the recommended dietary allowances.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that affects systems throughout the body. When the body isn't getting enough of this nutrient, people experience such symptoms as fatigue, depression, anemia, pale skin, and tingling hands or feet.
Those at risk include older adults, especially those with gastritis; people who experience gastrointestinal disorders like celiac disease or Crohn's disease; and infants born to vegans. Because animal products almost exclusively contain B12, vegans, and even omnivores choosing to consume more of their protein from plant sources, are also at risk for deficiency.
The good news is there are other ways to reach the recommended daily allowance of 2.4 micrograms per day for adults. Taking supplements is one option, but B12-fortified foods such as clams, tuna, and tempeh are another possibility: One of them, nutritional yeast, is the for vegan mac and "cheese."
However, note that B12 interacts with some prescriptions, such as anti-inflammatory drugs or vitamin C supplements, so ask your doctor or pharmacist and read labels.
Vitamin D
One thing that sets vitamin D apart from other nutrients is one doesn't need to rely solely on diet or supplements: Exposure to sunlight is one source. Fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified milk (both dairy and plant-based) are also , according to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient that helps the body absorb calcium, promote bone health, avoid osteoporosis, and manage inflammation. Without enough vitamin D, you may experience muscle spasms, bone deformities, and muscle weakness. A target amount of vitamin D for optimal health is . However, the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine notes that guidelines vary for different countries, citing "an incomplete understanding of the biology and clinical implications of vitamin D."
People who don't get too much sun, those with darker skin, and those who have undergone gastric bypass surgery are at risk of Vitamin D deficiency.
Calcium
Calcium is a crucial mineral for many structures and processes throughout the body, including healthy bones and teeth, blood circulation, and clotting. Muscle spasms and bone diseases, including osteoporosis, often result without enough calcium.
Postmenopausal women also tend to lack calcium since menopause leads to bone loss due to decreased estrogen production. Because the nutrient is present in dairy, those with allergies or who choose to avoid that food group for other reasons also risk deficiency.
Getting enough calcium on a nondairy diet is doable but takes more work. Beans, seeds, nuts, and soy are good choices. Darky leafy greens, like kale, spinach, and arugula, contribute significant amounts of the nutrient.
Most adults need about 1,000 milligrams per day, though the ideal amount for adults over 70 is 1,200 milligrams.
One thing to remember is that calcium needs vitamin D for absorption. While consuming calcium-rich foods, one should also ensure enough vitamin D intake.
Magnesium
Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and osteoporosis are major health concerns today, and magnesium helps to avoid and combat those conditions. Consuming this mineral also helps optimize blood sugar and pressure, as well as make protein, bone, and DNA.
Some people who often exhibit magnesium deficiency include those with Type 2 diabetes, people with chronic alcoholism, or older adults. Those with deficiencies also often exhibit , including vomiting, loss of appetite, tremors, and more.
Fortunately, magnesium is readily accessible in foods available via most diets: beans, grains, nuts, and leafy greens. Most adults need between 310 and 400 milligrams daily, but pregnancy and breastfeeding can boost the required level.
Protein
Protein is necessary for muscle formation. It's also an important nutrient for many other physiological processes, including repairing muscles and shortening recovery periods after exercise—but not all proteins are created equal.
Plant proteins also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and diabetes, while consuming more red meat (another good source of protein) , according to Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Other sources of dietary protein include fish, poultry, and dairy products.
Different sources suggest recommended daily amounts of protein, but the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine recommends daily. Deficiencies of this macronutrient can cause health problems, including stunted growth, loss of muscle, decreased immunity, and weakening of the heart.
Story editing by Carren Jao. Copy editing by Paris Close. Photo selection by Clarese Moller.
This story originally appeared on Live It Up and was produced and distributed in partnership with Stacker Studio.
Reach the writer at 402-473-7241 or ajohnson2@journalstar.com. On Twitter @ajohnson6170
Alyssa Johnson
Trending Topics Reporter
