Sometimes people give blood at City of Hope because their friend or relative is in treatment. But Donna D’Amore, who has donated blood or platelets at least once a month over the past decade, has no family ties.

Her motivation is straightforward: “If you’re blessed with good health — and I have been — it’s a way to help,” she said. “I like to contribute where I can.”

That means giving clothing and food to charitable drives, signing up as a potential donor for the National Marrow Donor Program’s Be The Match registry and donating her hair — three times — to Locks of Love, a nonprofit organization that provides hairpieces to children suffering from long-term medical hair loss.

D’Amore has a busy schedule with two jobs — as a paralegal and as owner of Heart & Soul Healing Arts Center in Pasadena, Calif. So she makes her appointments at City of Hope’s Michael Amini Transfusion Medicine Center part of her routine. “If my loved one needed blood, I’d want someone to step forward,” she explained.

Most often, D’Amore donates platelets, parts of the blood that prevent or stop internal bleeding. They can only be stored for up to five days, heightening the need for ready supplies.

D’Amore first donated blood at age 17 at a blood drive. A vegetarian, she eats iron-heavy foods and takes supplements so she can continue to donate. She tries to recruit other people to the cause, too, assuring them that the procedure does not hurt. “The needle only stings for a second, and I hate needles,” she said with a laugh.

Kasie Uyeno, directed donor coordinator at the Amini Center, said D’Amore symbolizes longtime donors’ dedication. “We appreciate all of our donors,” Uyeno said, “but we especially need generous people like Donna who are willing to donate to help others, whether friend, family or stranger.”

City of Hope follows strict confidentiality rules, so D’Amore never knows who will receive her blood or platelets, but that matters little. “When I donate,” she said, “I always say a prayer for that person.”