FORT LORAMIE — Blood donors, like brothers Eric and Ryan Poeppelman, have a strong sense of how something you may take for granted could someday be needed. Temperatures were in the 70s, a record high for Feb. 20, as Eric and Ryan donated at the St. Michael’s Hall blood drive, where they both received a warm knit beanie from Community Blood Center.
“We can hold onto it until next year,” said Ryan. “You never know,” said Eric. “It could get cold again!”
St. Michaels’s Hall donors always take the view that you never know when a blood donation will help save a life. In 2017, St. Michael’s three blood drives totaled 800 whole blood donations and 34 platelet and plasma donations.
The 2018 schedule at St. Michael’s is off to another strong start. Tuesday’s blood drive totaled 249 whole blood donors, 10 platelet and plasma donations, and 227 whole blood donations for 119 percent of collection goal.
Community support and family tradition are the bedrock of blood drive success in Fort Loramie and Shelby County. One example is the Hoehne family. Jan Hoehne Stockman is a volunteer at the St. Michael’s blood drives and on Tuesday made a double-red blood cell donation to reach 195 lifetime donations.
“I have five brothers and they are all donors,” Jan said proudly. Eldest brother Jim Hoehne leads the way with 223 lifetime donations.
Jan’s niece Kathy Wilson, from Russia, made her 66th lifetime donation, and Kathy’s nephew Dustin Schemmel, from Fort Loramie, made his 28th. The family bond of donating became even stronger for Dustin after his mother lost her battle with cancer two years ago.
“I would donate in the summers when I was home from school,” said Dustin. “But after that, I try not to miss.”
The Fort Loramie Community Service Club, Fort Loramie American Legion Auxiliary, and Fort Loramie Knights of St. John sponsor the blood drives and make sure donors get their fill of hot sandwiches and fresh-baked cookies in the Donor Café.
As Kathy and Dustin got ready to walk out into the warm sunshine, they wondered when their new knit hats would get some use. “I should have had it when I was snow-blowing a couple weeks ago,” said Kathy. “I’ll use it,” said Dustin, “but not today!”
Connect with Community Blood Center for the latest information and services at www.GivingBlood.org. Get fast and complete answers on how to make your first donation, organize a blood drive, or bring the CDC education program to schools. Get all the updates in the CBC/CTS newsroom, find quick links to our social media pages, or schedule your next appointment to donate by connecting to www.DonorTime.com.
Blood donation requirements: Donors are required to provide a photo ID that includes their full name. Past CBC donors are also asked to bring their CBC donor ID card. Donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 years old with parental consent: form available at www.givingblood.org or at CBC branch and blood drive locations), weigh a minimum of 110 pounds (you may have to weigh more, depending on your height), and be in good physical health. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) changes blood donor eligibility guidelines periodically. Individuals with eligibility questions are invited to email [email protected] or call 1(800)388-GIVE. Make an appointment at www.DonorTime.com.
