Kaywyn J. Beswick, R.N./Morrison’s American Red Cross Drive Coordinator submitted this report.
The first ARC blood drive of 2015 in Morrison, IL, was held on Thursday, January 15, from noon until 6:00 p.m. at Morrison United Methodist Church, 200 W. Lincolnway.
First Presbyterian Church Men and Women were the sponsor for the day, baking cookies and preparing sandwiches and drinks for the donors. The V8 carrot orange juice was delicious! Those who helped for the day were Jane James, Jan Kelly, Jane Franzen, Lynn Knox, Clara Goodenough, Alan and Judy Manchester, Lester and Joyce Mathews, and Carolyn Aiken. I am so very appreciative of the kind-hearted Presbyterians, for battling the weather and sponsoring the January blood drive every year, although the day’s temperature reached a glorious 30 degrees!
Thank you to the dependable Kiwanis who unload the truck before every drive and come back at the end of the day and reload the truck. They were Nick Becker, Lawrence “Ike” Isaacsen, Ron Finnicum, Walt Gorzney, and Kris and Bret Bielema.
As always, a big thank you shout-out to Morrison United Methodist Church for giving us the use of Heritage Hall to accommodate our Red Cross Blood Drives.
Much gratitude to my many volunteers who help man the stations throughout the room: Jan Kelly, Jane James, Marian Dykstra, Darlene Hook, Maisie Renkes, Karen Zuidema, Marilyn Akker, and Marilyn Habben. “Double thanks” to Marcia Haag who did a “double shift,” staying for six hours manning the registration table.
There were six exceptional gentlemen who gave “double red cells” equaling two units: Gerald Schultz, Gene Habben, Smith Gilmore, Larry Oudekerk, Dwaine Schroeder, and Ron Shank.
Eight pins were awarded to eight noteworthy individuals. Norine Urban, Kim Mulnix, and Callie Bush each received one-gallon pins. Beth Wroble was given a three-gallon pin. One woman, who did not want her name printed in the local newspaper or on thecity1.com, went home with a four-gallon pin. Kent Stralow was presented with a six-gallon pin. Connie Swanson-DeSpain was granted a nine-gallon pin, and James Huber was presented an 11-gallon pin. These eight people alone have donated 36 gallons of live-saving blood products totaling 288 pints. They have helped save up to 864 people. That’s over 20% of our town’s population!
The other wonderful donors who entered our doors were Bradley Bielema, Duane Scholl, Lynn Reimer, Stephanie Vavra, photographed above, Dale Eizenga, Linda Temple, Randy Kuehl, Jim Fisher, Keith Hamstra, Dave Gindrich, Lorna Temple, Evan Haag, Chris Hawkins, Kaywyn Beswick, Marian Dykema, Susan Noble, Marsha Geerts, Steve Geerts, Lori Ploenzki, Margaret Barr, Renee Vanderlaan, Connie Tegeler, Ryan Sutton, Tim West, Cal Vandermyde, Carolyn Aiken, Ashley Vegter, Adrienna Rombouts, Nancy Shank, Duane Imel, Janet Manchester, Brooke Newman, Jennifer Phelps, Arnie Damhoff, Ann Gangor, Jamie Chess, and three people who did not want their name published as donors.
One “first-time” donor or “hadn’t-given-in-a-long-time” donor was Jess Ryan. Thank you for joining the ranks, Jess. [I] hope you become a regular blood donor!
Thank you to ALL the generous donors who gave their time and blood to save lives!
Thirty-eight percent of the American public is eligible to donate blood, but only five percent take the time to give. It is a sad statistic. We have some people who volunteer that can no longer donate blood, but they choose to assist at the drives. That is a wonderful way to help the cause. I myself have never needed a blood transfusion, but several of my loved ones and many of my friends and neighbors have had red blood cells, platelets, or plasma given to them to extend their lives. I, as a nurse, have transfused all three [blood products] to many patients that I have cared for.
Please, if you are not a donor, consider it as a new habit to begin in 2015. We have a lot of fun at our drives: good food, great music, hearty laughter, and stimulating conversation. People greet each other, visit awhile, and leave as a hero for the day. How rewarding and easy-peasy is that?
Please join us for the next American Red Cross Blood Drive on Thursday, March 19, 2015, at Morrison United Methodist Church from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. Bring a friend, coworker, neighbor, or spouse!