Chester blood drive delivers pints
The Chester Community Blood Drive was held June 6 at the Lake Almanor Elks Lodge in Chester. The Elks donated the space at no expense to the Seneca District Hospital Auxiliary, which co-sponsored the event with The United Blood Services of Reno.
Seneca Auxiliary volunteer Judy Huff was the blood drive coordinator. She said the auxiliary was very thankful to the Elks for allowing them to hold the blood drive at the lodge location.
The blood drive ran smoothly, Huff reported, with a total of 32 donors (four were first-time donors) arriving between noon and 6 p.m., according to United Blood Services donor recruitment representative Corry King.
King said donors stepped up to donate 24 whole blood donations, eight double-red cell donors — which doubled into 16 units — for a total of 40 life-saving pints which will be used to save up to 88 lives!
Snacks, cookies and juice were handed out post-donation.
Donors also received a free cholesterol test from their blood sample, with results available online within seven days of their donation.
Every donor had the opportunity to enter a drawing that included a Harley-Davidson Sportster 1200 custom motorcycle, courtesy of Chester’s Reno Harley-Davidson through the second annual Summer Ride to Save Lives campaign, to be held at Chester’s Reno Harley-Davidson on Aug. 22 from a pool of 11 finalists.
Anyone who donates blood can enter the drawing in person at United Blood Services, 1125 Terminal Way in Reno. Entries close by July 30. Call 800-696-4484 for questions about the drawing or to donate.
“We appreciate and value the support of the members of the Seneca Auxiliary, volunteers and the amazing response from the Chester community,” United Blood Services stated in an official communiqué. “Thank you for making a difference in people’s lives, and to the donors who gave the gift of life.”
To locate a blood drive in your area, find local donation centers or to contact United Blood Services to make an appointment to donate blood, visit bloodhero.com. Blood can be given up to three times a year.
