Mississippi Blood Services (MBS) proudly recognizes longtime donor Kent Mummert, who reached an extraordinary milestone on April 29, 2026—his 802nd platelet donation, equating to more than 100 gallons of blood products donated over his lifetime.
Mummert began donating as a freshman at Mississippi College and has remained committed for more than 50 years. What started as a simple decision to help others quickly became a lifelong mission to save lives.
“It’s hard to say no when there’s a kid in the hospital who needs it,” said Mummert.
When he first began donating, the process was far more complex—even requiring a two-arm procedure. Today, advances in technology have made donating safer, faster, and more comfortable than ever. Despite these changes, his motivation has never wavered.
“You all know someone is having a ‘9/11’ day every day of the week,” Mummert shared with MBS staff.
“We’re blessed to be a blessing. This is a way we can help others.”
Through his generosity, Mummert has donated more than 800 pints of blood products, impacting an estimated 2,400 lives across Mississippi. To put this achievement into perspective, the average adult has about 8–12 pints of blood—meaning his lifetime donations equal the total blood volume of approximately 100 people.
Mummert continues to donate platelets every two weeks, supporting patients battling cancer, undergoing major surgeries, and facing life-threatening conditions. Platelets are especially critical due to their short shelf life of just five days, creating a constant need for donors.
Currently, only about 3% of the U.S. population donates blood each year, despite an estimated 62–65% being eligible. Mummert hopes his story encourages others to step forward
.
“Be part of that three percent,” he said.
“You can be a real hero in someone’s life.”
Mississippi Blood Services invites the community to join in celebrating Mummert’s incredible milestone and encourages all eligible donors to give blood or platelets to help meet the ongoing needs of patients across the state.
