July 21, 2017 at 4:00 p.m.
Public turns out for annual MASH Blood Drive
Public turns out for annual MASH Blood Drive
By Kayla Thomason-
Jill Butzin, marketing and communications manager for the Community Blood Center, said she was pleased with the turnout.
"Things have been going very well, we are having a steady donor flow," she said.
All the blood donated during MASH goes to hospitals throughout Wisconsin and into upper Michigan. Organizers said the goal was to get 150 units of blood.
"This event is super important, especially during the summer, blood donations go down in the summer, people are traveling and whatnot, but it's also a time when our colleges and high schools are out of session so that equates to 500 donations lost per month," Butzin said. "So we're really trying to make up those numbers by holding our fun MASH-themed events."
Tim Vocke goes in once a month to donate platelets, but has been donating blood since 1976. This is the second or third time he has participated in MASH.
"This is one of the things we can do where there is no downside, all we do is help people and we don't hurt people," he said.
He was pleased with the number of people he saw coming in to donate blood while he was giving.
"The first question they asked is whether I had a reservation so that's a good sign that people are calling to reserve places," Vocke said.
This is the first time Kathie Woodford has participated in the MASH Blood Drive, however she is no stranger to donating. Over the course of 10 years she has donated a total of three gallons of blood.
"When I found out I was O negative blood I know that is universal and a lot of people don't do it so I started giving," she said.
Woodford knows blood has a short shelflife and that in the summer the demand is high, so she knows how important it is to donate.
"I think it's very important because we know blood supply lasts so many days," she said.
Woodford added she was pleased with the number of people that were making donations.
"I'm amazed, there are so many more people than there normally are," she said, adding that it turned out to be a lovely day for the MASH Blood Drive. "It's great, it's a perfect day for it, a nice breeze, it's very nice."
Those who donated got lunch, treats and a red shirt with MASH printed on it, among other items.
The Merrill MASH Blood Drive is Aug. 3 at the National Guard Armory from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Donors who couldn't make it to the MASH drive can visit www.communityblood.org to see a list of blood drives, standing locations and days, or to make an appointment. Appointments can also be made by calling 800-280-4102.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
Comments:
You must login to comment.