January 24, 2013

Gallon Donors Honored at Latest Blood Drive

The January 8th community blood drive for the American Red Cross brought out many first-time donors and marked some noteworthy milestones for five of the area's most committed donors. A total of eighty-one people came out willing to give blood, and from those who came out, seventy-two units of blood were collected.

Seven units came from the following first-time donors: Courtney Brassfield, Brice Cowell, Jordan Dunn, Seth Hayes, Zach Miller, Logan Remley and Morgan Robbins. Six of the seven first-time donors are high school students.

"We thank our high-school administrators and students for their support and commitment to this worthy cause," said organizer Dan Hite.

The following donors were recognized for reaching their respective donation goals: the one-gallon pin was awarded to Sandra G. Arnold; a two-gallon pin was awarded to Drew W. Forquer; Jeannie L. Childress earned her five-gallon pin; Edith H. Martin earned her seven-gallon pin; and Patty S. Golbricht earned her eight-gallon pin.

Rebecca M. Martin received her ten-gallon pin, which is the equivalent of eighty units of blood, or more than the entire blood drive netted.

David M. Ahland and Twila M. Stevenson were awarded eleven-gallon pins. Lennie J. Doscher received his 15-gallon pin, and Mary L. Morgan topped the group of those being recognized as she earned her 16-gallon pin, which is equivalent to 128 units of blood.

"We should make it our goal as a community to match Mary Morgan's donation in our April blood drive," Hite suggested. "Congratulations and thank you to all those who came out and gave blood. May your efforts encourage others to consider giving to this life-saving cause."

As always, the blood drive was made possible through community support. Hite highlighted the efforts of the Bank of Memphis for the generous supply of homemade cookies, Pizza Hut for donating free pizzas to student donors, Memphis First Baptist Church for providing sandwiches for all donors, and J's Food for providing orange juice to all donors. Equally as important were the efforts of the numerous volunteers who served to make this event possible.