Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
Coach Werner Kleemann has dedicated his career to teaching, coaching and to being a community role model. He is admired, loved and respected by the countless Rush Henrietta High School football players he coached, students he taught, fellow Section V athletic directors and coaches, and teachers who have known him through the years. He is highly regarded for his leadership qualities, his advocacy of good sportsmanship, his dedication to his work, family and community, and his selflessness.
That love for others was demonstrated most recently while Coach Kleemann was visiting with a group of Rush Henrietta alumni football players. He told them he has leukemia and that like others diagnosed with the illness, he is receiving blood transfusions. Coach Kleemann added that he feels guilt in receiving transfusions that could help others. In response, his former football players, his family, and the Rush Henrietta School District are holding a blood drive in Coach Kleemann’s honor.
“Donating blood at this special blood drive is a great way to honor Coach Kleemann while giving back to the community that he has served, loved, and lived in for so many years,” said John Sacchitella. John’s first physical education teacher at William Gillette Elementary School was Werner Kleemann. Years later, John played football for Coach Kleemann on the 10-0 1982 Rush Henrietta Varsity team.
“We are touched and honored by the support the Red Cross is receiving from Coach Kleemann, his family, and the community,” said Red Cross Blood Services District Manager Debra Dunn. “Their efforts will help others who are facing serious health issues, such as cancer, organ transplant surgery, and trauma.”
Donate Blood in Honor of Coach Werner Kleemann
Wednesday, November 30
10:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Rush Henrietta Senior High School
1799 Lehigh Station Road, Henrietta
To make an appointment to donate, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-REDCROSS. Use sponsor code: ihocoachkleemann
Walk-ins are welcome. However, due to the tremendous community response, the Red Cross is urging those who wish to give blood in honor of Coach Kleemann to make a donation appointment and complete RapidPass. With Rapid Pass, donors complete the pre-donation questionnaire online on the day of donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To complete a RapidPass, follow the instructions at redcrossblood.org/RapidPass.
Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood. As the nation’s largest provider of blood products, Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 units of blood every day in order to supply hospitals throughout the country. In the New York-Penn Region, an estimated 1000 units of blood are collected daily to serve patients in 90 hospitals throughout New York and 10 counties in Pennsylvania.
The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give the perfect gift by donating blood or platelets this holiday season. Blood and platelet donations decline from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day as people get busy with holiday activities.
How to donate blood
Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.
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