Senator Hassan Recognizes David Bugbee of Concord as December’s Granite Stater of the Month

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan recognized David Bugbee of Concord as December’s Granite Stater of the Month. David has been regularly donating blood since he was 17 years old, helping countless Granite Staters through his donations.

David was first inspired to donate blood by his father, who donated regularly when David was a child. When David was 17, he saw a flyer at his Manchester college and, remembering his father’s frequent donations, decided to go. After his first donation, David knew that this would be a meaningful way in which he could help others – and now, at 71, he has given blood more than 200 times.

Blood donations can be used for many different purposes in a hospital or emergency setting, and hospitals rely on volunteers like David to collect enough supply for patients in need. Donating blood is David’s way of giving back to his community and he says that he has gotten used to the sensation of giving a pint of blood. He regularly visits his donation center in Concord to give blood, and he appreciates the Red Cross workers who run the center. David’s selfless commitment to regularly donating blood is a great example of the Granite State spirit of helping other people in any way possible.

Senator Hassan launched the “Granite Stater of the Month” initiative in 2017 to recognize outstanding New Hampshire citizens who go above and beyond to help their neighbors and make their communities stronger. To nominate a New Hampshire citizen to be a “Granite Stater of the Month,” constituents can complete the nomination form here.

To read Senator Hassan’s statement for the Congressional Record, see below.

I am honored to recognize David Bugbee of Concord as December’s Granite Stater of the Month.  David, who is 71 years old, has been donating blood, regularly, since he was 17, helping countless Granite Staters and others in our region through this precious gift.

David was first inspired to donate blood by his father. As a child, David remembers going with his dad to regular blood donation appointments, although at the time he didn’t realize that’s what his father was doing. Eventually he grew curious about the little square bandage he noticed his dad sporting after these appointments and asked what the appointments were. When he was 17 years old, David saw a flyer for a blood drive at his Manchester college, and, remembering his dad’s frequent donations, decided to go. After his first donation, David knew that this would be a meaningful way in which he could help others – and since then, he has given blood more than 200 times.

Donating blood is David’s way of giving back to his community. Blood donations can be used for many different purposes in a hospital or emergency setting, and hospitals rely on volunteers like David to collect enough supply for patients in need. David has said that he counts himself lucky to have had jobs that have always allowed him to leave for blood donation appointments during the day. He does not find it a bother at all to give a pint of blood and has gotten used to the sensation, even saying that the period of rest that is required after donating can give him a little break in his day to sit down afterward and eat a snack. A lifelong Granite Stater, David regularly visits his donation center in Concord to give blood, and he appreciates the Red Cross workers who run the center. He has especially noticed that they always show their gratitude to those who donate.

David’s selfless commitment to regularly donating blood is a great example of the Granite State spirit of helping other people in any way possible. As we celebrate the holiday season and reflect on ways in which we can support our fellow Granite Staters, I am proud to name David December’s Granite Stater of the Month.

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