Photo Contributed by Bill Dennis Ben Pedersen, of Hamlet, has given 28 gallons of blood through the Red Cross. He started working on his 29th gallon at the Hamlet Masonic Lodge blood drive on Monday.

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There are about one and a half gallons of blood in the average person’s body, and Bill Petersen has donated a body’s worth of blood almost 19 times through the Red Cross.

He estimates that he’s probably donated more than that, since he donated blood when he was in the service and when his grandson needed a pint. Since he started making regular donations through the Red Cross, he’s managed to keep track of the amount and it adds up to 28 gallons of blood.

He started working on gallon number 29 at the Hamlet Masonic Lodge blood drive on Monday.

“They only take one pint at a time, so I’ve given blood a lot,” said the 83-year-old from Hamlet. “Maybe it’s just psychological, but it feels good to know that I can.”

Petersen said he’s just thankful for his health, and happy to still be able to donate.

“They check his iron and his blood pressure every time he goes, and he’s just as healthy as ever,” said his wife Emma.

“I would encourage others to take the opportunity to go to a blood drive,” he said.

Upcoming blood drives include:

Aug. 4 at Walgreens in Rockingham, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 1500 E. Broad Ave., Rockingham.

The drive at Walgreens is to enter Richmond County student April Whitley into a contest for a scholarship fund.

To make an appointment for the blood drive, call 910-997-5492.