Warren countians give gift of life
Warren County residents know how to respond to need.
They proved it Friday, when only two hours into the American Red Cross Valentine’s Day blood drive, organizers had more than half the numbers they had hoped for. By the end of the day, a record turnout of 136 pints of blood was reported.
That was music to the ears after 70 percent of the Tennessee Valley Regions’ blood inventory was voluntarily quarantined in early February, the result of unidentified white matter found in blood.
Local chapters were encouraged to step up efforts for already-scheduled blood drives, while bigger cities held special drives. In Warren County, the goal was 100 pints, compared to an average drive results of between 60 and 70 pints.
The Red Cross partnered with the Southern Standard and Clear Channel Communications for event promotions and area merchants helped with supplies.
“We’re doing great,” said Warren County Red Cross director Debby Maddux while a crew of 12 Red Cross workers did their job helping people donate blood. “We were hoping for 100 units today and we’ve already had 50 check in within the first two hours.”
Standard circulation director Steve Warner, who helped organize the six-hour event and who thanked the community for its support, said the goal was extended to 150 pints of blood.
Warner said the event was a success with the help from volunteers, for example, like gospel singer Richard Graham, who provided entertainment throughout the day. The blood goes to Nashville, where it is redistributed within the Tennessee Valley Region.
Local Red Cross board chairman Jim Pettigrew hoped the numbers would continue to be encouraging, and others noted a blood supply shortage even before the quarantine.
“We need to do this again in about two-and-a-half months because the supply only lasts for 56 days, so we want the rest of the people to come out then, too,” Pettigrew said.
“With the shortage that we’ve had because of the recall, strong turnout is good, but we would like people to continue to turn out in subsequent drives,” he added, noting interested local residents may contact the Red Cross at 473-2595 for information about the next drive.