Kaywyn J. Beswick, R.N./ARC Blood Program Leader submitted the report and photos.
The July American Red Cross Morrison Community blood drive is usually held at the United Methodist Church. They had an air conditioning issue that was not going to be repaired in time for the Thursday, July 16, 2026, drive to be held there. St. Mary Church offered their church hall, and UMC sponsored the canteen of sandwiches for the donors. Thank you, St. Mary Parish, for allowing us to use the facilities. The UMC members who bought groceries, prepared, and served three kinds of sandwiches were Carole Patton, Mary Vos, and Pat Popkin. Thank you, ladies; you always do a fine job providing white and wheat bread sandwiches (chicken salad, ham, and turkey.)
Our post-donation escorts were Rick Barr and another gentleman who did not want his name published. Thank you, both, for walking donors from the donation lounger to the canteen chairs. Appreciation for our dependable Certified ARC Volunteers, Pat Pendgraft and Irma Russell. I am very grateful for you two keeping things running smoothly.
We did meet our goal of six double-red-cell/PowerRed donors, and 12 good units. Those who donated two units of packed Red Blood Cells were Vaughn Maxfield–shown at left–Craig Brady, Jim Fisher, Tom Myers, Jamie White, and Mitchell Milnes. These gentlemen also received an American Red Cross ball cap. Anyone who donates double red cells up until September 11 will receive an ARC hat. So, anyone who will donate doubles at our next drive on Thursday, September 10, will be eligible (while supplies last.)
Other fantastic whole blood donors who helped up-to-three patients were Penny Milnes, Kelly Smith, Cathie Downs, Brian Vogel, Pam Shank, Joan Vander Bleek, Deb Adolph, Randy Kuehl, Stephanie Vavra, Sheila Sonberg, Lory Oudekerk, Carolyn Aiken, Troy Peppers, Beth Wroble, Chris Hawkins, Nancy Shank, Cal Venema, Lisa Nice, Brad Bielema, Julie Brown, Ken Stewart, Dave Temple, Joe R. Bielema, Tim West, Robyn Stewart, Connie Swanson-DeSpain, Kari Forster, and seven people (four men and three women) who did not want their names published. There were eight cancellations and nine “no-shows,” totaling 17 people (23.4%) that did not make it to the drive. We had a couple of walk-ins, which we appreciate!
We had a granddaughter, Hailey Bielema, come in as a “first-time donor” with her grandpa, Joe R. Bielema. Joe has brought in several first time donors to our drives. He is a great advocate for the importance of donating blood if you are able.
Blood products CANNOT be synthetically made; they MUST come from another human. According to American Blood Centers 62% of the U. S. population is eligible to donate blood, but only about 3% of people actually regularly donate. This is a horrible statistic! Blood donors are persons who possess the power to save up to three human beings! Please consider becoming a blood donor; it is easy, pretty painless, and very rewarding.
With 41 people presenting, we had 28 Rapid Pass users, which is about 68 % (that is pretty good.) The Rapid Pass is medical questions that are asked of the donor before giving blood. It has to be done the day of the blood drive, but it usually saves about 10-15 minutes time for the donor.
The next ARC blood drive will be at St. Mary Church on Thursday, September 10, from noon to 5:45 p.m. The canteen sponsor will be the Wa-Tan-Ye Women. Bring a spouse, friend, coworker, or neighbor. Make an appointment online at www.redcross.org or call the 800 number. You may text or call me for an appointment at 815-718-5117. Have a safe summer.
