Multiple-gallon donors show up at Red Cross blood drive in Ida
IDA -- Forty-seven citizens turned out for an American Red Cross blood in Ida Thursday, including Michael Stein of LaSalle, who has given over 22 gallons of blood in the past 54 years.
“I’m saving people’s lives,” Stein said as he was donating a pint on a gurney. “It makes me feel better.”
Amanda Coleman, a collection specialist for the Red Cross, assisted him with his donation during the six-hour drive held in the gym at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Ida. She said every pint donated will save the lives of three people and help alleviate a critical shortage of blood supplies currently in Michigan and Ohio.
Thursday’s visit by Stein was the 178th of his career, according to Marilyn Ness of Ida, who worked the admission desk for the drive.
“That means he’s saved over 500 lives,” Ness said. “How amazing is that. What a special thing he is doing.”
Stein said he would continue to donate blood “until I can’t give any more.”
Bruce Vanisacker of Monroe donated a pint for the 118th time Thursday. He has donated almost 15 gallons of blood and said he gives at least five times a year.
“It’s the least I can do to give back… there’s been such a shortage for years,” Vanisacker, 66, said.
Like Stein and Vanisacker, Larry Moretti of Monroe Township has A-positive blood. The 70-year-old Moretti, who Moretti has given blood for about a dozen years, donated for the second time this year.
Ness said 54 people pre-registered for the drive, but some couldn’t give due to low iron counts, lack of a visible vein or other issues.
“It was a great drive. I think everybody had a good day,” she said.
The drive was one of six blood collections held this past year in memory of her grandson, Gary Simmons III, who died May 12, 2016, from metastatic cancer 15 days after being born with the illness. He was the son of Gary and Marissa Simmons. The next drive in his memory will be Feb. 3. To schedule an appointment, persons can call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter the sponsor code IDACHURCHES.
As a result of low blood donor turnout in recent months, the Red Cross is heading into the holidays with its lowest blood supply in more than a decade at this time of year, said Christy Peters, a media spokeswoman for the Red Cross.
“Blood donations are desperately needed now to meet the needs of accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease,” Peters said in an email.
All those who give through Dec.16 will automatically be entered for a chance to win a private screening for the winner and 50 of their guests of the epic new film “The Matrix Resurrections.” Plus, those who give will also get a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card by email.
Following are upcoming drives in Monroe:
Tuesday -- 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., Monroe Church of the Nazarene, 3401 S. Custer Rd. (M-50).
Dec. 11 -- 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Monroe Alliance Church, 3975 S. Custer Rd.
Dec. 14 – Noon to 6 p.m., Monroe Post 1138, Veterans of Foreign Wars, hall, 400 Jones Ave.
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Multiple-gallon donors show up at Red Cross blood drive in Ida
