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February 2009

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The Victoria

GAZETTE

You Gotta Have Heart Continued
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         “We were very happy with the amount of blood collected in Victoria today,” said Mr. Hampton.  “Our goal was 95 pints and we received 101 pints.  Included in that total were 24 double red cell pints.”

         He explained that some people of particular sturdiness, health, and blood type are able to donate double that of the average donor, recognizing, of course, that all blood donors are above average because they’ve got a lot of heart!

         Mr. Hampton said he works two to three blood draws per week, all within 100 miles of the Twin Cities.  Do they always meet their goal at the various locations?  “No, we don’t,” he replied, “but even when we do reach our goal, blood is always needed.”

         Kathy Sether, Victoria resident and co-chair of the Victoria Bloodmobile, made a special plea.  “Tell people we need more volunteers in Victoria,” she said.  “We’ve got a wonderful core group but it’s beginning to dwindle.  Please tell people we need more callers and more assistance all around, especially young people.  It would be wonderful if we could get more young people to help us.”  (Contact Kathy at 952-443-2088.)

         Co-chair Wendy Amundsen (952-443-2531) agrees that the Victoria Bloodmobile can use more help and more donors.  She recognizes the fact that the number of total pints collected over the years has always hovered around the hundred mark, although the population of Victoria has increased from about 600 in 1974 (first year of the Victoria bloodmobile) to 6,000 in 2009. 

         One of the reasons there has not been a corresponding increase in blood collection at the Victoria site is that there are more blood draws held throughout the community today than in the past.  It’s common now for businesses, churches, schools, and other groups to sponsor a bloodmobile.  In other words, people have more opportunities today to donate.

***

         According to information from the online site of the American Red Cross, the national Red Cross system in the United States is divided into 36 regions.  For the second year in a row, the North Central Blood Services Region, based in St. Paul (and includes Victoria), has been named the top performing region in the national Red Cross system. 

         The American Red Cross provides blood and blood products to more than 3,000 hospitals across the country; it’s the largest single blood provider in the United States.  It serves 111 hospitals in Minnesota, western Wisconsin, and eastern South Dakota, including many Mayo Clinic-affiliated hospitals, Fairview Health Services including the University of Minnesota Medical Center, and all ten Allina hospitals.

         The Red Cross helps ensure that no patient goes without blood no matter where or when they need it.  In addition to providing nearly half of the nation’s blood supply, the Red Cross provides relief to victims of national and international disasters.  They also train millions in lifesaving skills and serve as a communication link between the U.S. military and their families.

         The American Red Cross was founded on May 21st, 1881, by Clara Barton, a volunteer who cared for soldiers during the Civil War.  The U.S. Congress first chartered the Red Cross in 1900 and, although it is obligated to provide certain services, the organization functions independently of the government.

         The Red Cross is an independent, nonprofit, volunteer organization that relies primarily on the generosity of Americans for support.  Giving a pint of blood doesn’t harm the healthy person and it greatly helps the ailing person.  Sign up for the next Victoria Bloodmobile to be held on Monday, July 20th.  All you gotta have is heart. 

***

         [Find many photos from this most recent Victoria Bloodmobile in Sue’s Album at www.VictoriaGazette.com. Scroll to the page entitled “You Gotta Have Heart” or simply click here!]

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