Welcome to the Five Points of Life Program

In 1996, Perry McGriff, a LifeSouth Community Blood Centers Board member and long-time blood and apheresis donor, met Larry Frederick during an organized cross-country bicycle ride. Frederick, a policeman from California, had been seriously injured while on duty ten years before, and survived his injuries with the help of 100 pints of donated blood.

Frederick was on a personal mission to raise awareness of the need for blood donors. In each town, he went to the local newspaper and told his story; McGriff accompanied him and the Five Points of Life concept started to develop. McGriff returned to Gainesville, Florida, and met with LifeSouth staff to describe this experience and pitch his idea of a national blood donor awareness campaign built on the personal stories of donors and recipients crossing the country together by bicycle.

McGriff ’s enthusiasm and vision found a receptive audience in the LifeSouth staff and the concept of promoting not only blood, but also a full spectrum of life-giving donations evolved.

Today we have a thriving program that not only encompasses our Five Points of Life
Ride, but also, as of 2006, a 26.2 mile marathon and 13.1 half marathon.