By Dorothy Evans
As is evident from this picture, Weiser’s quarterly blood drive held on July 31 by the American Red Cross, was far from hopping. The 70 units collected will have a welcome impact since one donation can save up to three lives; however, Weiser has done much better in the past and can do so again.
Breaking down Weiser’s numbers from Wednesday, of the 85 scheduled appointments, 22 (26%) were no-shows. Cancellations usually average around 25%. Partially offset by 9 walk-ins, our total number of donors was 72, down eight from last quarter and down 17 from the first quarter of 2024.
Even though eight of our donors gave Power Reds where two units are collected, several donors were denied for various medical reasons, so only 70 units were collected from the 72 people who volunteered to give.
Weiser’s next quarterly blood drive will be held on Wednesday, December 4. I would like to challenge local businesses and government offices to help turn this downfall in attendance by encouraging your staff to donate blood. Businesses could engage in a friendly competition with each other for the most donors. Allowing your employees to take an hour off work or extending their lunch hour to perform this public service would benefit all our community.
We greatly appreciate all 72 donors at the July 31 draw. Those giving permission to print their name are: Jason Bair, Rick Haynes, Larry Lee, Sabrina Young, Sherry Young, Mary Smith, Mari Bionaz, Ralph Graham, Liz Sousa, Chris McCord, Cindy Duncan, Wil Overgaard, Melisse Hiner, Julie Derr, Mary Walker, Rebekah Tracy, Gilbert Salazar, Aurora Salazar, Rhonda Hirata, Marla Leedy, Lupita Rodriguez, Diane Higgins, Brian Johnson, Kylie Schroeder, Dave Schroeder, Shawna Eddy-Kissell, Dave Jenkins, Jim Hardenbrook, Sandy Cooper, Pat West, Steve Nakamura, Tom Anderson, Barbara Barber, Jana Hill, Mike Hopkins, Ronnell Chavarria, Connie Hagan, Laurel Handel, Angela Halvorson, Jan Mullins, Lorrie Dewyar, Mark Christensen, Charles Winegardner, Maria Rodriguez, Anne Oglevie, Kyla Dickerson, Pam Stampfli, Marion Blye, Linda McLaughlin, Lauri Nowak, Jhonna Eldridge, Phil Condon, Paul Malek, Pamela Burris, Tina Frei, Eileen Joyce, Bruce Nagasaka, Penny Lancaster, Chad Reddick, Renee Speropulos, Trent Winegar and Nykki Quinn.
The blood drive could not happen without the help of all the volunteers. Blood drive chairman, Alex Chavarria, pulled it together by lining up and calling donors. Coordinator Dorothy Evans worked the registration table during the drive and entered future appointments into the database after the drive. Pat West helped at the registration table while John Aegerter escorted donors from the draw station to the food tables. Mary Walker of Nu Masters sorority, Deb Jenkins and Gay Morinaka-Hayden prepared sandwiches for the donors. Anna Loos, Delores Overacker and Val Donicht of Xi Nu sorority kept the food tables supplied and Delores Overacker and Bev Attebery prepared a delicious Sloppy Joe lunch and dessert for the volunteers and Red Cross workers. Nu Masters and Xi Nu are members of the Beta Sigma Phi City Council who funds the purchase of the food. We are also grateful to MTE for their generous contribution that pays for supplies and WIFI.
Weiser’s next quarterly blood drive will be held in the Vendome Events Center on Wednesday, December 4, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please call Alex Chavarria at 208-602-7138 or Dorothy Evans at 208-550-0990 to schedule an appointment or go on the American Red Cross website to reserve your time slot. Your blood may save a life. There’s no better way to spend an hour of your time.
