Dedicated blood drive held in honor of Karen Waters set for May 10
Owensville community encouraged to give blood
Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
The American Red Cross is once again teaming up to host a blood drive in honor of Karen Waters Thursday, May 10, from noon to 6 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 404 S. First St., Owensville.
In April 2016, Karen Waters was diagnosed with a very rare condition called Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (HUS), which results in destruction of red blood cells. On average, only three out of every one million people are diagnosed with this each year. During Karen’s lengthy hospitalization, she underwent a complete plasma exchange, as well as several red blood cell transfusions.
In total, Karen received 147 blood products and she hopes to repay every one of the donors that helped her by collecting that many through her blood drive. 85 units were collected during last year’s inaugural drive and Karen hopes for 62 pints and more at this year’s event. Karen and her family humbly request that you help them “pay it forward” by being a blood donor. By donating blood, you are choosing to save a life!
“This blood drive is the only way I could truly thank those who helped save my life,” said Karen. “We had a very successful drive last year and I hope we can repeat it this year.”
Donors of all blood types are needed. Those with types O, A negative and B negative blood are encouraged to make a Power Red donation at this blood drive. Power Red donors give a concentrated dose of red blood cells during a single donation, allowing them to maximize their impact. During this type of donation, red blood cells are separated from other blood components, and the plasma and platelets are safely and comfortably returned to the donor.
Every two seconds in the United States blood is needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals nationwide.
Donate Blood in honor of Karen Waters
Thursday, May 10, 2018, Noon to 6 p.m.
Immaculate Conception Church
404 S. First St., Owensville, MO. 65066
All those who come to donate from April 9 to May 13, 2018, will be entered to win one of three $1,000 gift cards to a national home improvement retailer, courtesy of Suburban Propane. (Restrictions apply. More details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Lets-Do-More.)
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.