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| Giving the gift of life for the new year |
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| News - Community News | |||
| Written by Kevin Gray | |||
| Wednesday, 31 December 2008 08:00 | |||
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Free Oreos, Rold Gold pretzels, Nutter Butter sandwich cookies and a variety of soft drinks, juice or water may sound like yummy snacks at the Lion’s Club blood drive held at Paola’s First Presbyterian Church on Monday and Tuesday, but donors were there for more than snacks. Stretched out with a needle in his arm, Paola veterinarian Greg Windler said he gives every year. “Sometimes twice a year,” he said.  Max Sereais of Osawatomie said he has given blood for years. “It’s a good thing to do,” he said. In the first day of the blood drive, volunteer Delores Funk said 41 units of blood were collected. Nine donors were deferred for various reasons. “We knew it was going to be a good day when we had 20 donors within the first hour,” she said. The Community Blood Center of Kansas City, Mo., used four ALYX blood collecting machines. Blood Center Supervisor Whitney Windsor said the machines can collect blood for two people at one time, and the blood is already processed when finished. “The donor receives back their plasma and saline, which is healthier for the donor,” she said. The whole process usually takes about an hour, Funk said. “But the ALYX takes a bit longer, so the donor has to figure about 15 to 20 more minutes. But, then, you’re helping two people this way instead of one,” she said. Potential donors had to undergo a health history screening process first, as well as mini-physicals, including the donor’s temperature, blood pressure and the level of the red blood cells. Windsor said few people are turned away. “We look at a person’s hemoglobin level, recent travel outside of the United States and medical history,” Windsor said. Donors automatically received the snacks after their session was completed. The Community Blood Center provided T-shirts and a calendar for each donor. First-time donors were eligible to win a U.S. $50 savings bond donated by the Paola Lions Club. Landmark Bank and Wintersheid’s Auto Parts provided chances on two $50 savings bonds for those with a history of donating blood.
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