Forty-six donate at blood drive

BY STEVE CHAPMAN [email protected]

The American Red Cross held a blood drive at Waymark Church in Monett on Monday, Oct. 16. A total of 46 people donated blood, potentially saving 138 lives.

Charlene Dart was one of those who donated blood. She said she gave blood out of gratitude for a life-saving donation she once received.

“Years ago, I had a blood transfusion that saved my life, and so I wanted to give back,” she said.

Donna Beckett, chairperson for Red Cross Blood Mobile Monett-Aurora, said she was grateful to see the donors who came to the drive.

“I really appreciate my regular donors always making the blood donation a priority in their lives,” she said. “And it’s exciting to see new donors at the blood drives. A few years ago, only five percent gave blood in the United States, and now, unfortunately, it has dropped down to only three percent.You can get an artificial knee, but there are no substitutes for blood, so it’s extremely important that we donate blood. I appreciate the Monett community so much for their support.”

The blood drive found support beyond the donors. Price Cutter Supermarket donated soda to give to donors following their donations, while Schreiber Cheese donated cheese for donors to snack on. Donors also each received a Cardinals T-shirt and a $15 gift card.

Four of those who came to the drive were first-time donors: Gal Somodi, Charlene Dart, David Staar and Robert Heagerty. Veteran donors were also recognized. Julie Balmas and Taylor Weaver each received the one-gallon award, Cheryl Morris was given the seven-gallon award and Carol Brown was given the 18-gallon award.

The next blood drive in Monett will be on Monday, Dec. 11 at Community Church.

The following gave blood at the Waymark Blood Drive: Lyla Salsman, Steven Smith, Michel Garman, Cheryl Morris, Walter Hamer, Rebecca Gilliam, Ronda Pachner, Jeanie Osborn, Deanna Warren, James Monroe, Samuel Helmkamp, Theresa Beaty, Leland Flory, Matthew Brubacker, Samuel Brubacker, Barbara Carroll, Howard Gentry, David Beckett, Aaron Johnson, Angela Johnson, Charlene Dart, Pauline Brubacker, Joseph Alvarez, Terri Casper, Carol Brown, David Starr, Janea Coker, Teri Valentine, Dianna Lauderdale, Judy Kitchen, Julius Abramovitz, Leah Willson, Latricia Davis, Jeffrey James, Taylor Weaver, Julie Balmas, Donna Beckett, Mark Meyer, Robert Heagerty, Mark Conner, Brittie Beesley, Molly Johnson, Mary Brubacker, Ruth Brubacker and Byron Curbow.