Dear Editor,
The American Red Cross would like to extend a heart-felt thank you to the Great Bend community for continuously supporting the Red Cross blood program. Your support is a wonderful example of how to give back to your community and help patients in need.
The Red Cross blood supply relies on the generosity of volunteer donors. People commonly underestimate the need for blood and the difference that even one donation can make to ensure blood is availab le when and where it’s needed.
Thank you to everyone who participated in the American Red Cross Blood Drive on March 28. There were 172 people who came in to share their life-giving blood. Our goal was 173 so we missed it by one pint! All who donated can feel proud we did our civic duty and helped to ensure life-saving blood is available for patients in hospitals throughout our area.
As a blood donor or volunteer, each of you has helped the Red Cross fulfill their mission of a safe and ample blood supply. Hospital patients rely on us and we delivered!
I want to thank each of you for being a part of this life-saving experience.
Larry Parsons and Ian Vest received two-gallon pins and receiving five-gallon pins were Mark Orth and Richard Snell. Receiving a six-gallon pin was Lori Titsworth. Velda Lewis received her nine-gallon pin and receiving 10-gallon pins were Tom Vernon and Kathy Collicott. Receiving an 11-gallon pin was Hal Hollenbeak and Ray Demel received his 12-gallon pin. That’s 184 pints between Hal and Ray. Wow! Keep it up guys. Our top blood donor who was omitted last time was Milton Rice with 23 gallons. This is 184 pints just from one person. A lifetime of giving. T
hank you to all of you for giving blood for all of these years. It is well appreciated by many. First time donors were Diane M. Scheck and Devan Boeger. We hope all of you will be back in May for the next drive.
We look forward to saving more lives at our next drive May 23. Please keep in mind our blood donations are now collected at St Rose Parish. If you would like to help, please call at 792-2580.
Corry Herrman,
Blood Drive chair,
Great Bend