LOMA LINDA>> Heroes, of course, come in all shapes and sizes.
On June 1, I had the opportunity to meet a real hero.
Dexter Emoto was lying in a bed at LifeStream, San Bernardino’s blood bank, where he is a true hero.
They call him the “Marathon Man” because the 62-year-old is an ardent runner and has completed 134 marathons and 136 half-marathons, as well as two ultras — one 33 miles and the other 52 miles. “It’s been an interesting marathon — I try to look at life like that,” he told me.
On this particular day, however, Dexter was reaching 100 gallons in lifetime blood donations. Honoring him for this important milestone were Dr. Rick Axelrod, president, CEO and medical director of LifeStream and a contingent of friends and well-wishers from Loma Linda University Medical Center. Thanking him for his gifts of life, Axelrod said LifeStream was proud and humbled by Dexter’s generosity.
Representatives of elected officials were also on hand to present citations and plaques of recognition. Dexter’s commitment is awe-inspiring.
Let’s see, there are eight pints in one gallon, so 100 gallons is equal to 800 pints of blood. Because multiple people can benefit from one pint of blood, LifeStream spokesman Don Escalante estimates Dexter has helped between 1,500 and 2,000 people since he started giving blood in 1974.
That’s many gifts of life. And a bit of irony here — Dexter is a dedicated health practitioner, a post anesthesia care unit and recovery room RN at Loma Linda University Medical Center.
So, he has the perspective of giving life through blood donations, as well as administering a transfusion of collected blood to a post-surgical or trauma patient. And, yes, he has wondered if those were his platelets he was transfusing into a patient.
Julie Paez is one of the patients he treated during surgery. Julie survived multiple gunshot wounds in San Bernardino’s terrorist attack in December 2015 at the Inland Regional Center. “When I woke up and realized I wasn’t dead, the first voice I heard was Dexter’s,” said Julie, who presented Dexter with a Star of Hope, a symbol of compassion, giving and hope. Dexter, whose youthful appearance belies his 62 years, first donated blood as a college student. In the more than four decades since, his motivation for doing so has remained straightforward and uncomplicated. “I knew then that my blood could help someone in need of healing,” he said. “Ever since, “I’ve just wanted to share my blood with someone in need.” Dexter began donating platelets in 1991 after years of regularly donating whole blood. Whole-blood donations require a 56-day interval between collections; platelets can be donated as frequently as once a week up to 24 times per year. Dexter regularly donates platelets about every two weeks. On Thursday, Dexter’s 88-year-old mother, Nora Emoto, accompanied him and sat smiling at his bedside during the donation process.
Hiroko, his wife of 36 years, had to work that day. A Loma Linda resident, Dexter became involved in long distance running in 2003 when a colleague invited him to join the Loma Linda Lopers Running and Fitness Club. In addition to his passion for helping others, Dexter loves running. “Running a marathon was on my bucket list — once I got started, I found I enjoyed it, and I’ve been on the run ever since.”
A devoted family man of deep faith, he finds peace running by himself. “It’s just God, the road or trail, and me,” he said. A professional photographer, he documents memorable achievements and milestones for himself and others. He doesn’t plan on slowing down any time soon. Blood donation also remains a priority. “I will continue donating as long as I am healthy enough to do so,” he said. Escalante added, “It’s a special day — he’s the first one to have this perspective of both giving blood and transfusing it. That really is a unique achievement — it’s a full circle.”
As for Dexter, he wants to keep helping people and he has the good platelets to do it.