My mom has donated blood since she was 16 and has now donated over 20 gallons over her lifetime. I started giving blood at school blood drives when I was 16 but never really understood why my mom had such a passion for it.   Two years ago my dad had a heart attack and needed bypass surgery. It was a horrible surprise for my whole family because my dad eats healthy and exercises regularly. It seems there is only so much you can do to fight your family genes. He received a pint blood during the surgery and that is when I realized why it is so important to give blood regularly. My dad needed blood and without the people like my mom that donate every eight weeks, my dad may not have gotten th