President Matt Russell, president of the Liberty Missouri Stake, supported the blood drive as well and touted the ease at which one can help others.

“It was such an easy, quick, and convenient opportunity to give back and provide help to someone going through some difficult physical challenges,” President Russell said.

But does it hurt to give blood? Reece Hasting gives advice to others that might be apprehensive.

“I don’t like needles. Just turn away and look at your phone, and you’ll be fine. It goes pretty quick…like six minutes.”

But for some people, like Pres. Brody Perschon, first counselor in the Liberty Stake presidency, it only takes four minutes.

Pres. Russell had hoped to beat Pres. Preschon’s four-minute record but fell a bit short.

Cannon also barely missed Pres. Perschon’s record. She was able to donate in four minutes and 27 seconds. But Cannon’s already looking forward to the October 2026 drive.

“I’d say to Pres Perschon, ‘Bring it on!’ I’m going to be drinking my water before the next one. I’m going to accept that challenge,” Cannon joked.

But this time, Pres. Perschon might not have held on to his title of quickest donation after all.

“I am grateful for the Red Cross and all those who volunteered to donate,” Pres. Perschon said “It’s always meaningful to serve in this unique way – and yes, also have a little friendly competition.”

Pres. Perschon said that this time around he was told another donor beat him by seven seconds.

“I look forward to earning back my title as quickest blood donor at the October blood drive.”

Due to privacy laws, we were not able to inquire about individual donor personal identification, but if this was you or if you know who this was, please feel free to reach out. We’d love to include your information in this article.

Of course the competition is all in good fun and just a way to increase donors, but what actually makes for a good donor and how can one increase the rate of his/her donation?

According to an onsite Red Cross worker, if you want to improve your donation time, be sure to hydrate two days before giving blood. The worker said water was preferred, but Diet Coke or other sodas were fine, as long as they were drinking enough, as caffeine can dehydrate you.

*Power red is an automated process that allows donors to give two units of red blood cells—twice the amount of a standard donation—while returning plasma and platelets to the donor. This “double red” donation uses specialized equipment to collect more of the most frequently needed blood component to support surgery, trauma, and cancer patients.