February 17, 2017 at 2:53 p.m.
Family organizes blood drive in memory of local woman
Family organizes blood drive in memory of local woman
By Kayla Thomason-
This was the case for Peg Harris. In May 2011, the mother of two was diagnosed with cancer and promptly started chemotherapy. Shortly thereafter she needed her first blood transfusion to continue treatments.
"Our family is greatly aware that without the blood transfusion our time with her would have been very short," said Angela Harris, Peg's daughter. "We were blessed with nearly 18 months to continue making memories together."
After Peg passed away in October of 2012 her family decided to hold annual blood drives in her memory.
"Our family believes it is important to pay it forward," Angela Harris said. "We had time with our mother because others donated blood. We want to pass that on."
Last week, the fifth annual Peg Harris blood drive was held at Grace Foursquare in Rhinelander.
"Blood donors are always needed," Harris said. "I wholeheartedly encourage any able person to make an appointment to donate blood and make this a habit. It costs nothing more than a bit of time but for the families on the receiving end, it is priceless."
Caitlin Harris, Angela's daughter, has made many contributions since she became old enough to donate blood.
This was her second time donating through the Peg Harris Memorial blood drive and fifth time total since she turned 16.
"I personally believe that taking the little bit of time to donate just a single pint of blood does make a huge difference in someone's life," Caitlin Harris said. "I'm blessed to be healthy and never having needed a blood transfusion, but I've seen my grandmother receive multiple. It's a little thing that not many people think about but it can truly help save a life."
She encourages others to consider making the life-saving donation.
"I think that everyone should take the opportunity to research and consider donating," she said. "You never know who it may help and you never know if one day you'll be the one in need of a transfusion."
Caitlin Harris knows many other teenagers who have donated blood, and she has been moved by their actions.
"One of my friends volunteered on her own, without my prompting, to come donate," she said. "I know plenty of other teens who, despite a fear of needles, have taken the opportunity to donate whether it be with us or through the school events. It's really touching to see so many teens, along with adults, literally giving away part of themselves to help someone they may never meet."
She admitted she was nervous the first time she donated but it turned out to be a very positive experience.
"I was nervous the first time I donated blood," she explained. "I wasn't entirely sure what to expect or how to feel even. But the rewarding feeling you get after you're done is beyond worth it. In all honesty, I think the most painful part is the finger prick which doesn't hardly hurt either."
Chrystina Melau, Angela Harris' cousin, donated for the second time with this event, third total.
"I think it's a really good idea," she said of donating blood and added that it is surprising how many lives a donation can save.
"It's an easy process, the gals that are doing it are nice, it's just a really great thing that you can do," Melau said.
She described getting blood drawn as a little prick and that's it.
Lisa Purpura, Northwoods supervisor of The Community Blood Center, likes the community-driven blood drives.
"We really love doing the community drives because it really helps the public come to different places and it gives a nice reward for the organization that is sponsoring us that they're doing good and knowing that their blood is being drawn for a good cause and it's coming back to the community that they live and work in," she said.
Prior to donating, individual should eat a good meal, drink plenty of fluids, avoid caffeine and anything that would dehydrate them, make sure they are healthy and relaxed, and take it easy for the rest of the day.
"If you have any kind of cold symptoms it's best that you probably don't donate because what it's doing is we're weakening your immune system by taking blood so now we're making it worse on you. So we recommend that they don't (donate when they are sick)," she said.
There is a pre-screening prior to donation where a person's hemoglobin is tested as it needs to be at a certain level to donate blood.
A donation is a pint of blood and people can give their contribution every eight weeks. There are 15 different tests done on the blood, looking for contagious diseases like HIV and Zika, among others.
"It's a safe process," Purpura said. "If you're a first-time donor we'll explain the process to you, take extra precautions so you have a good experience."
The blood is processed down in Appleton and is brought back to the Northwoods. All of the blood in the area hospitals is from local donors.
"What you are doing today might benefit your neighbor or family in the community," Purpura said.
The Community Blood Center always has cafe services available which includes water, juice and a snack, but it's really a 10-15 minute time to observe the donor because reactions (i.e. fainting) typically occur in that time frame.
It is done with every donor regardless of how many times they have donated.
The Community Blood Center is always in need of blood and platelets. Whole blood has a shelf-life of 42 days, platelets only five days.
Platelets are necessary for those undergoing chemotherapy, and for those with other conditions.
Platelets are processed through an automated machine called apheresis machine.
"It's a process where it takes the blood and takes it out, spins it in the machine and sends back everything else that the body needs back and it'll keep the platelets out," Purpura said.
It takes two hours and is done at the Trig's center.
The Community Blood Center's hours at Trig's in Rhinelander are 1 to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays.
For more information visit www.communityblood.org.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
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