Waxahachie PD Officer James Taylor named to National Blood Donation Hall of Fame

Fresenius Kabi inducts 14 honorees into National Blood Donation Hall of Fame

Fresenius Kabi, a global healthcare company part of the Fresenius Group, specializing in lifesaving therapies and technologies, today announced 14 new inductees into the National Blood Donation Hall of Fame. Nominated by blood centers across the United States, the honorees were chosen for their extraordinary commitment to donating blood or for encouraging blood donation.

This year’s inductees hail from Hawaii to Florida. Some have given blood for decades, breaking records in the process. Others have inspired and educated their colleagues and students on the importance of blood donation.

The 2026 honorees join more than 350 others inducted into the Fresenius Kabi National Blood Donation Hall of Fame in the last 28 years.

This year’s inductees include:

• A trauma nurse on an air medical team whose advocacy to deliver blood products to trauma victims before they reach the hospital has saved lives and reduced traumatic brain injury.
• A blood donor who, at 84 years old, became Hawaii’s top all-time donor with more than 300 pints given over 62 years.
• A couple who set out to donate blood in every Red Cross region in the country, then expanded their mission to all 50 states and 19 U.S. military bases.
• Two high school health science teachers, one in Florida and one in Georgia, who are educating and inspiring high school students to become the next generation of blood donors.
• A law enforcement officer from Texas who coordinates an annual blood drive among first responders called the “Battle of the Badges.”

“Donating blood is lifesaving work because the need is so great and there is no substitute,” said Eddie Kubo, senior vice president of commercial operations in North America for Fresenius Kabi’s MedTech business that makes advanced blood-transfusion technologies. “We honor and celebrate this year’s inductees who have helped save countless lives thanks to their enduring commitment to blood donation.”

The 2026 inductees and their nominating blood centers are:

• OFFICER JAMES “J.T.” TAYLOR – Carter BloodCare, Bedford, Texas
• EMILY LEVITAN (BLOOD FOR BRECK) – American Red Cross, West LA Territory
• PEGGY HOPP – LifeServe Blood Center, Sioux City, Iowa
• MITCH EITING – Versiti Blood Center, Dayton, Ohio
• AMY JO WESS – The Blood Connection, Greenville, South Carolina
• JIM AND LINDA PARKER – American Red Cross, Wichita, Kansas
• DAVID BUTT – ImpactLife, Springfield, Illinois
• DJA DUGUE-WRIGHT – OneBlood, Miami, Florida
• LYMAN KOIKE – Blood Bank of Hawaii, Kapolei, Hawaii
• HUBERT STALLING – Versiti Blood Center of Illinois, Aurora, Illinois
• MELISSA CULPEPPER – OneBlood, Thomasville, Georgia
• CHERIE TOWERS AND JULIE ELLIS – LifeStream Blood Bank, San Bernardino, California

National Blood Donation Hall of Fame inductees are featured in an annual calendar used by blood centers that highlights the stories of their contributions to this important cause. To read about the 2026 inductees, please visit National Blood Donation Hall of Fame. 

J.T.’s story: Giving back is badge of honor for Waxahachie PD Officer Taylor

Serving the community is both a professional and personal mission for Officer James “J.T.” Taylor with the Waxahachie Police Department.

He has worked in law enforcement for more than 15 years, joining the Waxahachie force in 2009. In his current role as Community Services Officer, James actively manages citizen outreach programs such as neighborhood watches, self-defense classes, active shooter training, the Guardian Program to assist residents with special needs, and events for local children, including Cops and Kids Picnics, Breakfast with a Cop and Shop with a Cop, among many others.

James is also the department’s coordinator of local Carter BloodCare blood drives, including the annual Battle of the Badges.

He leads by example as a longtime Carter BloodCare donor. By the end of 2026, James is on track to reach a lifetime donation total of 55 gallons, enough to support 1,320 patients in urgent need of transfusions.

“I’ve committed to donating platelets at Carter BloodCare to give back,” he said. Platelets are vital in treating cancer patients, a battle that spurred James’ donor mission.

In 2007, at the age of 31, James was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Nearly 10,000 Americans are diagnosed with the disease each year and 1 in 250 will be diagnosed during their lifetime.

Although 99% of the cancers are treatable if detected in their initial stages, James’ case was extremely aggressive. It metastasized in his right lung, requiring major surgeries and several blood transfusions.

“I thought I was invincible. There was no genetic link of cancer in my family, but my cancer went from stage 1 to stage 4 in less than 30 days,” James said.

The path to recovery was difficult, James said, with multiple medical tests, daily chemotherapy and frequent platelet transfusions.

“But I have been and always am a positive person. My worldview is to look for the best in the worst,” James said. “I try to remain happy and inspire others to love the life that you have been given. That was my outlook. Every day that I was breathing was a blessing.”

In October 2008, after a challenging year of health setbacks, James received the welcome news that he was cancer-free.

“To this day, the oncologist refers to me as his miracle, and I believe I am. I could have been another casualty to testicular cancer, but God had other plans for me,” James said.

He next fulfilled his dream of becoming a police officer and dedicated himself to inspiring and helping others.

“I was given so much blood when I went through my surgeries that I felt compelled to give to others as it was given to me,” James said. “Blood, platelets and plasma are not made. They have to be given. Blood banks are always low, but it only takes a moment of your time to donate to save another.”

In addition to consistent blood donations, James and his colleagues in the Waxahachie Police Department help cancer survivors throughout the community by supporting resources for information and research.

“I am committed to spreading awareness so that no one fights alone. I do not want anyone to go through the battle I faced,” James said. “I am committed to helping others in my job as a police officer and it is the way that I live my life.”

The City of Waxahachie, Fresenius Kabi and Carter BloodCare will hold an award presentation honoring Officer James Taylor:
10:30 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6, 2026
Waxahachie Police Department
630 Farley Street (map)
Waxahachie, TX 75165

To coincide with the Hall of Fame induction, a community blood drive will be held at the Waxahachie Police Department from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6, 2026. Select a donation time here.

About Fresenius Kabi

Fresenius Kabi is part of the global healthcare company Fresenius and specializes in lifesaving medicines, medical technologies, and services for critically and chronically ill patients. With more than 41,000 employees and present in over 100 countries, Fresenius Kabi’s broad portfolio enables access to high-quality products across emergency medicine, surgery, oncology, intensive care, and at home – reaching around 450 million patients each year.

Through complementary business areas, Fresenius Kabi offers highly complex biopharmaceuticals for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune and endocrine diseases; leading enteral, parenteral and homecare solutions within medical nutrition; innovative medical technology including infusion pumps, cell and gene therapy devices, disposables and blood collection systems; and intravenous generic drugs and fluids that are vital to the work of healthcare providers globally.

For more information, please visit www.fresenius-kabi.com.

About Carter BloodCare

Carter BloodCare is an independent community blood center providing transfusion resources in 59 counties of North, Central and East Texas to support more than 225 medical facilities. The nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization is one of the largest blood programs in Texas, delivering more than 450,000 doses of blood and blood components annually to meet the medical treatment needs of local patients. Services include collection, processing, specialized laboratory testing, storage and distribution of blood and blood components, as well as cellular therapy and clinical apheresis. Tu centro de sangre comunitario.