GIVE BLOOD To find upcoming blood drives in the area, visit
redcross.org
The next Red Cross blood drive in Owatonna is scheduled for 1-6 p.m. Monday, Aug. 26 at Trinity Lutheran Church. 2bf3e47b-c304-456c-8082-969e22fb18d1
The Red Cross recently announced a critical need for blood donors, reporting a 25% reduction in its national blood supply since July 1.
The organization’s calls for help are starting to pay off — but there’s still a long way to go toward closing the gap. According to Dayna Steinke, a Red Cross account manager, blood drives in Owatonna are reaching roughly 75% of the donors they hope to receive.
The Red Cross hosted two blood drives Monday, at Jill Hoggard Academy of Dance and Redemption Church, with more on the horizon at locations around the community.
Longtime blood donor Marty Schroeder dropped by the dance school in the afternoon, donating the latest of many units. She attended her first blood drive in 1973, giving blood with her parents, both regular donors. Over the years, she’s donated 14 gallons of blood — approximately 10 times the volume of blood the average adult has in their body at any given time.
“It’s a good feeling to know someone needs my blood, that I’m contributing to that inventory,” said Schroeder.
While Schroeder has been nervous about needles or giving blood, Team Lead Kirsten Callahan said she’s seen plenty of new donors who are. Callahan, who’s worked for Red Cross for over seven years, said it’s important for donors to remember that anxiety is the worst part, and staying calm is key to a successful experience.
“Just about anybody can handle being uncomfortable for 10-15 minutes, knowing that they’re going to help save somebody’s life at the end of it,” said Callahan.
According to Steinke, the bulk of their donations come from repeat donors, but they expect to receive a few first-timers at most blood drives. High school blood drives are a particularly good source for new donors.
It’s important for those donors to come prepared.
“They want to make sure they eat a good breakfast or a good meal before they donate, drink lots of water, stay hydrated because it’s going to make it easier for our staff to collect their blood,” said Steinke.
She noted that someone in the U.S. will need blood approximately every two seconds.
Donors can use the Red Cross blood drive to see where their donation was ultimately sent. It could end up going to help someone in need right in their community, or someone in another state.
“It’s only 3% of the country that actually donates, but we have a higher percentage in Minnesota. We’re more generous here. We end up shipping a lot of our blood to other parts of the country,” said Callahan.
Schroeder attributed her easy, relatively painless donation experiences to a healthy diet, with plenty of vegetables and few fried foods. She doesn’t have trouble with “wooziness” or passing out after a donation, though she does make sure to grab a snack on her way out to recharge. She was pleased to find her favorite brand of granola bar waiting for her on her latest visit.
She acknowledges that not everyone will become a lifelong donor like her, but she believes it’s worth trying at least once.
“Just give it a shot. Try it, you might be a lifer like me,” said Schroeder.
The next local Red Cross blood drive is scheduled for Monday, Aug. 26 at Trinity Lutheran Church, which Steinke noted typically draws a good turnout. Currently, the Red Cross has 75 donors signed up for that event. Another drive, sponsored by Keen Bank, will take place Aug. 29 at the Ellendale Community Center.
In addition to donors, the Red Cross is also seeking blood program leaders from local organizations to recruit volunteers and schedule blood drives in the community.
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