Erie County Legislator Frank Todaro recently presented a proclamation to honor Lancaster resident Gene Baran for his volunteerism and paying it forward for others in need of blood for the last 50 years.

Gene Baran began donating blood in 1970 as a U.S. Army basic trainee. To this day, Baran has donated 277 times at the American Red Cross, with donations of whole blood and plasma/platelet donations.

Gene Baran has also donated whole blood 14 times at Roswell Park to help cancer patients and donated whole blood five times and platelets once at ConnectLife.

Gene Baran recently donated his 300^th pint of blood to the American Red Cross which amounts to 37.5 total gallons of blood throughout his donation journey.

Legislator Todaro said, “Gene Baran has saved a countless amount of lives with his selfless blood, platelet and plasma donations over the last 50 years. He lives his life to the fullest every single day and never takes it for granted. It was an absolute honor to meet Gene and present him with a proclamation on behalf of Erie County for his incredible volunteerism and compassion for those in need. We can all take a page out of Gene Baran’s book and help our neighbors in any way possible.”