Kaywyn J. Beswick, R.N./American Red Cross Morrison Community Blood Program Leader submitted the report and photographs.
The first American Red Cross Community Blood Drive of 2026 was held at St. Mary Church, 13320 Garden Plain Road, Morrison, IL, on Thursday, January 8, from noon to 5:45 p.m. Ebenezer Church Women sponsored the canteen. Appreciation to Father Zimodro for allowing us to host four of the annual blood drives at St. Mary’s. Those who purchased and prepared sandwiches and cookies for the donors and staff were the Ebenezer Ladies’ Aid, Deb Adolph, Barb Domdey, Jane Haan, Barb Prins, Maisie Renkes, Mary Vos, Joan Zuidema, and Pat Zuidema. Thank you, wonderful women from Ebenezer, who gave of their time and food preparation talent. We are thankful for your dependability in sponsoring the January blood drive canteens. Gratitude to the Knights of Columbus member Terry Hoehn, who cleared the church hall for the blood drive the day before, and who returned after the drive to help put everything back. I appreciate your reliability. Tremendous appreciation to my certified ARC volunteer, Pat Pendgraft, for running the Registration desk and resigning several donors up for the next two blood drives. Gratefulness to Rick Barr for post-donation-escorting donors from the lounge chairs to the canteen.
A total of 60 terrific people assisted in saving lives. Loyal whole blood donors help save up-to-three; that means 180 persons will be impacted by these donors: Martha Kophamer, Pam Shank, Deb Adolph, Joan Vander Bleek, Cathie Downs, Lory Oudekerk, Lyle Bush, Jenna Landheer, Ken Gooley, Kerry Kennedy, Lisa Nice, Larry Tichler, Jackie Damhoff, Ray Hagar, Nancy Shank, David Stickel, Mary Boelkens, Kelsie Lowery, Brad Bielema, Randy Kuehl, Stephanie Vavra, Chris Hawkins, Amy Oudekerk, Dave Temple, Joe R. Bielema, Tim West, Susan Gomez, Kari Forster, Shanna Given, Louise Clark, Kevin Hook, Kelly Smith, Valerie Pell, Luke Vander Bleek, John Clark, Kaywyn Beswick; plus ten women and men, who did not want their names published.
The steadfast double-red-cell/Power Red donors, who help two lives, were Doran Dockstader, Eric Plaut, Mel Johnson, Bob Barajas, Dick Wieneke, Ron Shank, Keith Wiersema, Michael Stansifer, Daniel McEleney, plus two gentlemen who did not want their names published. We were grateful for two first-time donors, but both gentlemen opted to not have their names published.
Pictured are father and daughter donors, Jeffry Bramm and Lisa Bramm Rogers, with ARC staff members, Katie and Kendall.
Thirteen pin milestones were reached at the blood drive. Two donors secured one-gallon pins: John Clark and Michael Stansifer. Four donors captured two-gallon pins : Penny Milnes, Valerie Pell, and two gentlemen who did not want their names published. Eric Plaut obtained a three-gallon pin. Lory Oudekerk gained a five-gallon pin. Two people were awarded ten-gallon pins: Stephanie Vavra and David Stickel. The 15-gallon pin was attained by Kaywyn Beswick. Ron Shank acquired a 16-gallon pin. A huge achievement of a 34-gallon milestone honored Doran Dockstader! Between these 13 folks, 103 gallons of blood have been donated; this is a tremendous deed! I am so very proud of ALL the donors who give. We are such a blessed community!
Another fantastic, family occurrence happened while Grandmother Vavra reached her ten-gallon milestone. Morrison grandson Life Scout Isaac earned his Medical badge for Scouts, by escorting at the blood drive and interviewing one of the Phlebotomists. Hopefully, Isaac will become a blood donor like his grandmother.
Despite 12 cancellations and six “no show” appointments, we had four “walk-ins” that helped correct that deficit. Seven deferrals is about average for our drives, and the ARC expects it. I am actually not surprised with that high number of cancellations and no shows. Sickness (COVID, strept, influenza, and gastrointestinal bugs) has been going around since the holidays. January is always one of my lowest drives in attendance, due to winter illnesses and a lot of absentee “snowbird” donors. We ended up with 60 good units, which met ARC’s goal.
I am so happy to finally attain goal. I take it personally, when I do not achieve what the American Red Cross is asking me to obtain. I know that I shouldn’t, but I take this volunteer responsibility very seriously.
The next ARC Morrison Community Blood Drive will be held at Morrison United Methodist Church on Thursday, March 19, 2026, from noon to 5:45 p.m. Bethesda Lutheran Church will sponsor the canteen. Bring your spouse, a coworker, friend, neighbor, parent, sibling, or youth (16 years old or older.) Any appointment request or questions can be texted to my cell phone, 815-718-5117; or email me at kaywynbeswick@gmail.com any time.
There are only 62 days until Spring. Stay safe and warm!