Donating blood as a birthday gift!

Donor John Adkins' family and friends joke with him that his birthday parties are quite draining.  That's because for the last eight of those birthdays they've celebrated at the San Diego Blood Bank, with all party-goers giving blood.  This year, 13 of John's friends and families joined him to donate and then headed over to Sanfilippo's restaurant in Hillcrest to continue the party.

John turned 57 this year.  He's a retired firefighter who says at this point in his life he doesn't need gifts, thus the idea to have his friends and family celebrate with him by giving to others.  "It's just part of giving back" John says.  

John lives in East County and is a 1972 graduate of Hoover High School.