Ken Doerflein
For nearly 30 years, Ken Doerflein has made blood donation a part of his life. A Marine Corps veteran and dedicated volunteer who spends his free time taking fellow veterans fishing on Brookville Lake, Ken has donated blood 132 times with Hoxworth Blood Center. Motivated by a desire to help others and inspired by family experiences, he continues to make the 40-minute drive to donate, proving that a lifetime of service can take many forms.
Giving Part of Himself: Ken Doerflein’s Lifelong Commitment to Blood Donation
For nearly three decades, Ken Doerflein has made blood donation with Hoxworth a regular part of his life. A native of Indiana who now lives in Laurel, IN, Ken has donated blood 132 times with Hoxworth Blood Center, most often at the Western Hills Neighborhood Donor Center.
His journey as a blood donor began while serving in the United States Marine Corps. What started as a simple desire to help others soon became a lifelong commitment.
“I just wanted to give part of me to someone else in need,” Ken said. “I knew it would be anonymous, but it made me feel good knowing I could help somebody in the community.”
That feeling kept bringing him back. One donation turned into another, and before long, blood donation became part of who he is.
A Personal Connection to the Need for Blood
Ken’s commitment to donating blood grew even stronger after his aunt was diagnosed with leukemia. Although he was unable to donate directly to her because they had different blood types, the experience reinforced the importance of maintaining a strong blood supply for patients facing serious illnesses.
“She knew that I donated,” Ken said. “She told me it was a shame I couldn’t give blood to her. After that, I told myself that as long as I’m able, I’m going to keep donating.”
His aunt passed away earlier this year in her 80s, but her memory continues to inspire his dedication to helping others through blood donation.
Staying Healthy to Keep Giving
As he approaches his 68th birthday, Ken remains focused on maintaining his health so he can continue donating for years to come. Earlier this year, he lost 20 pounds through exercise and healthy habits.
“If you want to stay active, you have to be active,” he said.
Ken often compares caring for the human body to maintaining a classic automobile.
“People my age should think of themselves like classic cars,” he joked. “If you want to keep them running, you have to take care of them and change the fluids. I change my fluids by donating blood to Hoxworth, and those fluids aren’t going to waste. They’re going to someone who needs them.”
More Than a Donation
One of Ken’s favorite moments comes after his donation, when he receives an email letting him know his blood has been sent to a local hospital.
“It makes me happy for the recipient,” he said. “Even though it’s anonymous, it’s nice knowing that somebody is being helped.”
That connection to patients, even without knowing their names, gives every donation a deeper meaning.
A Duty to Serve
For Ken, donating blood is about more than helping others; it’s a continuation of a lifetime of service.
As a veteran, he sees blood donation as another way to give back to his community.
“I wanted to go beyond just being a soldier,” he said. “I wanted to keep helping people. I’m a giver in the true sense. I give my time, and I give blood because I know it helps somebody.”
Even after undergoing knee replacement surgery and recovering from a serious infection earlier this year, Ken was eager to return to donating as soon as he was medically eligible.
“It’s not an obligation for me,” he said. “It’s become a duty. It warms my heart.”
Despite living about 40 minutes away, Ken continues to make the drive to donate. Along the way, he has developed friendships with Hoxworth staff members who greet him like family each time he visits.
“The people at Hoxworth have been fantastic,” he said. “When they see me coming, they’re excited to see me again. It feels like family.”
Giving Back On and Off the Water
When he’s not donating blood, Ken spends his free time giving back in another meaningful way. He volunteers his time taking veterans fishing on Brookville Lake, helping fellow service members enjoy the outdoors and build connections with one another.
Whether he’s serving his country, supporting fellow veterans, or donating blood, Ken has spent much of his life focused on helping others.
Join Donors Like Ken
Ken’s 132 donations (and counting!) have helped hundreds of patients across the Tri-State, but he knows there is always a need for more donors. Every day, local hospital patients rely on volunteer blood donors for surgeries, cancer treatments, trauma care, and other lifesaving procedures.
“We all have something we can give,” Ken said.
You may not reach 132 donations like Ken, but every donation is saving lives close to home. Schedule your appointment today and join donors like Ken in making a difference for patients across our community.