It all began for James (Jim) Kuhlmann as a young man when he watched his dad donate platelets for many years at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York. One winter day back in December of 1970, Jim’s dad was unable to keep his appointment, so Jim went in his place. That was the beginning of what is nearly a 50-year history of donating apheresis and platelets at Roswell Park.
So, how did Jim go from filling in for one day, to nearly fifty years of donating? Jim tells us after that first time he was “hooked” literally! He says, “Donating was easy and I felt so good knowing I was helping someone right there at Roswell Park. Over the years, I have been able to help many patients; some I’ve known and some I have not. In one case, I donated directly to a co-worker’s aunt. Years later, she surprised me by attending my retirement party and I was elated to see a healthy woman that I had a small part in helping.”
To talk with Jim, you’ll find an easy going, funny, intelligent and very determined man. Several years ago, Jim contacted the Guinness Book of World Records to see if he might qualify for a world record. It was certainly an exercise in determination and patience as it took ongoing correspondence, and several years of waiting to obtain the distinction. But, he did it! For his total donations on record through April 2017, Jim qualified and has just recently learned that he is the current record holder in the category of most donated blood-apheresis (platelets).
Today, Jim continues to donate platelets every two weeks and regularly encourages others to give as well. “We all make time for what is important to us, but do we make time for what is important to others?” Jim asks, “What could be more important than helping someone who is fighting for their life? Of course being the world record holder is exciting, but it’s less about any achievement and more about knowing that in some way, I’m able to help patients in need.”
Jim and his wife, Susan, now spend winters in Florida. Jim quickly affiliated himself with a blood center in Florida and is keeping up with his donations in between golf games. Jim is an extremely dedicated donor and a passionate advocate for our center and is greeted with big smiles when he picks up where he left off every spring when he returns to the Donor Center at Roswell Park. While we are fortunate to have many long-time donors at our center, Jim is an inspiring donor and completely deserving of the Guinness World Book of Records distinction.
Congratulations to Jim Kuhlmann and thank you for your significant contributions to the patients at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center.
If you’d like to help patients at Roswell Park like Jim, please call 716 845-8275, or go to roswellpark.org/donorcenter
We know people who have been saved by platelets and for this reason and many others – we thank Jim from the bottom of our heart!
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