NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. – Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Niagara Falls firefighter Clifford Mayes has continued donating blood and platelets every two weeks.

Mayes first became a donor 35 years ago, joining his uncle and other firefighters. ConnectLife, the local blood center where Mayes donates, has added extra sanitizing procedures and complies with social-distancing guidelines.

Mayes has saved lives as a firefighter for 33 years, and as a platelet donor for 35.

“My uncle took me out and had me donate blood a couple of times,” he says. “I got into it, then I wasn’t into it for a long time.”

Mayes got back into it as a thank-you for donors who have helped out his wife.

“She gets procedures done, and once in a while, they do transfusions for her. If they didn’t have people giving blood, that wouldn’t be possible,” he says.

The platelets are separated, and Mayes’ job is done – for another two weeks, until he comes back in for more.​