WFAA-TV

Carter BloodCare gave Alan Cone balloons and a cake when he gave his 99th gallon of blood Thursday.

After 50 years of giving, one North Texas man's donation of blood reached the 99 gallon mark Thursday.

Since the average human has around 10 pints of blood in the body, that means over the years, Alan Cone gave enough blood to fill 79 human bodies.

If blood were gas and a driver was operating a 2007 F-150 Super Crew, Ford says that person could drive from Dallas to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on that same amount of blood.

"I found that it was something that I could do that was basically easy for me and beneficial," Cone said.

So easy, Cone has given 792 units of blood and counting.

"I guess at this point it's going to be a habit," he said.

Cone said he started giving blood in college during a fraternity service project.

"The biggest problem I had was getting over my fear of needles," he said.

And obviously, he managed to jump that hurdle. Now, on average, he gives more than 20 times a year. Most donors give blood once or twice a year.

Thursday it was Carter BloodCare that was giving thanks to Cone for yet another donation.

"I'm honored and embarrassed," he said of the attention he has received for his enormous gift.

John York's mother needed blood in surgery and he said he now gives often as a way of remembering her. However, he was among other generous donors in awe of Cone's feat.

"Oh my gosh, I think that's incredible," he said. "Knowing what little I give, it's pretty amazing to know what he's done."

While Cone's story is amazing, those in the medical field say so is the demand for blood. In North Texas, more than 500 people need blood transfusions daily.

"The need increases, and the donations aren't increasing at quite the same rate," said Kevin Land, medical director of Carter BloodCare.

Marilyn Hart manages volunteer's services at Carter BloodCare. Eight years ago she needed a new heart and enough blood for the complex surgery.

"I was ready to die without the heart," she said. "Can you understand that? I was ready for that. I was not ready to die without the blood."

But she had it in her hour of need, and it was because donors like Cone gave.

E-mail jbrady@wfaa.com