Before he passed away in June, Fran Hestermann was a longtime American Red Cross volunteer and supporter of the blood donation program. As a survivor of heart surgery and cancer, he had received transfusions and knew firsthand the importance of giving blood.
Hestermann served at the Atwood community blood drive for more than 25 years, first as a volunteer and later as the blood drive coordinator. To show appreciation for his dedication, the Atwood community blood drive will be held in Hestermann’s memory
Oct. 26, noon-6 p.m. at Knights of Columbus, Lake Road.
“Fran loved working at the blood drives. He always enjoyed seeing the regular donors,” said Carol Hestermann, Fran’s wife. “Our family thanks the Atwood community for honoring Fran’s memory by helping others in need of blood.”
The Red Cross must collect about 14,000 blood donations every day to help patients, and volunteer donors are the only source of blood products for those needing transfusions. Donors of all blood types are needed.
To schedule an appointment for the Atwood community blood drive in memory of Fran Hestermann, simply download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
How to donate blood
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 (16 with parental consent in some states), 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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