Need for Blood Affects Celebrities, Too

(NECN: Brian Burnell, Manchester, Conn.) - As we approach our annual NECN/Red Cross blood drive, we try to bring you personal stories of people who have been affected by the need for blood. One man, who needs no introduction and may be best known for his signature line "Come on Down," speaks with NECN's Brian Burnell. Bob Kaufman cuts yet another commercial to get you to "come on down" to Bob's Discount Furniture. Bob has become something of a celebrity through the tv ads and he's used that fame to help causes he cares about. 13 years ago he started working with the Red Cross on their ongoing campaign for blood donations. Bob Kaufman, Bob's Discount Furniture: "Became very personal, ironically, about 6 years ago for myself when my own father needed twice-a-month transfusions in order to stay alive. Spent time in cancer centers. You see populations. Like a lot of people I used to think it was all about accident victims that needed blood donations and you realize that there's a large population out there that really needs blood to stay alive."That population eventually included his nephew, Scott, who was diagnosed with Lukemia. Bob remembers how big a difference blood made in their health. He recalls taking Scott in for a transfusion.Bob Kaufman, Bob's Discount Furniture: "You see him go in lethargic, white. Come out rosy cheeked, full of life."Scott and Leo have since passed away.Between his own family story and his work with the Red Cross over the years Bob has learned more than he ever thought he would about the need for blood donations.Bob Kaufman, Bob's Discount Furniture: "Massachusetts imports a-third of their blood supply which means they're not self sufficient. Connecticut imports about 10 percent. it's a sad commentary that we're not self sufficient in the good times never mind when there's a 9-11 or there's a disaster, natural disaster, where you need it and the shelf life is limited on the product which means you can't store it forever, you can't freeze it forever. It really has to be fresh."Bob Kaufman will continue urging you to "come on down" again and again to give the gift of life.