Help save lives with the Red Cross in memory of local business owner

MADISON, Wis. — The American Red Cross is joining family and friends to host a blood drive in memory of Ron Siemers on Saturday, March 25, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in East Troy.

In November 2016, Ron suffered an aortic tear. While in the hospital, he underwent two major heart surgeries and received daily blood transfusions as part of his treatment.

Ron was a lifelong resident of East Troy and he and his wife owned Phoenix Pool Installation. He had an infectious smile and he loved his family and friends.

“We wanted to come together to not only honor Ron, but also say thank you to the many blood donors who helped him,” said his wife, Cheryl.

Every two seconds in the United States blood and platelets are 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 nearly 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals nationwide.

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org and enter code “summa” 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.