Every eight weeks, the public is invited to donate blood through American Red Cross. A pint of blood is the liquid gift of life, for up-to-three people. Donations were accepted on the first time in 2018, on Friday, January 12, from noon to 6:00 p.m., at Morrison United Methodist Church, 200 W. Lincolnway, Morrison, IL.
ARC Blood Drive Coordinator Kaywyn Beswick announces to attendees, when someone has met a goal of donating a gallon (16 pints) of blood. Everyone cheers and applauds this achievement. The donor receives tietack pin, shaped like a precious drop of blood, with the number of gallons that have been fulfilled.
Brad Bielema, Morrison, IL, earned such a pin with the number eight in the center. He is shown with Beswick cradling his arm and Carole Patton presenting the new pin.
Since he became a blood donor with American Red Cross in 2001, Bielema has given 128 pints and saved a possible 384 people’s lives.
He was not an eager blood donor at the start. During Basic Training in the United States Air Force, he recalled, “They gave us pop and cookies if we donated. That got me over my needle phobia!”
The reason for donating blood can be that simple. The importance of the donation is immearsurable and life saving.
