Vinton's Blood Donation Journey

My Blood Across America Journey – A Mission to Save Lives

Hello! I’m Vinton Smith, a lifelong blood donor from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. Over the past 37 years, I’ve donated more than 17 gallons of blood and 78 units of platelets and plasma across most of the United States. See my Blood and Platelet donation maps below!

My first 20 years of donations were at schools, fire halls, shopping malls, churches, and other places in my local communities. In 2008, my new job with Elanco Animal Health required extensive travel, making it difficult to donate regularly in my local area. So, I began donating in the various states where I traveled for business.

After three years and 16 states, I set an ambitious goal—to donate blood in all 50 states! Family vacations became part of this mission, and as my children grew older, they joined me in donating whenever we traveled.

In June 2024, Alaska Airlines partnered with me to complete my 49th state donation in Alaska, marking a milestone in my journey. They also showed their commitment to the cause with a $10,000 donation to the Blood Bank of Alaska. Read more about this donation here!

On June 14, 2025—World Blood Donor Day—Vinton completed his Blood Across America journey by donating blood in Hawai‘i, marking his 50th U.S. state. This milestone was made possible through continued partnership with Alaska Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, and the Blood Bank of Hawaii. Together, we not only celebrated a personal goal, but also inspired many others across Hawai‘i and the nation to roll up their sleeves and give the gift of life!

Now, the mission continues... My Blood Across America journey will never truly be complete. My next goal is to donate platelets in all 50 states and to keep inspiring others to give blood, platelets, or plasma. I’m already halfway there, with platelet donations in 25 states and counting.