Summer 2003 Blood Drive Sunday July 6th, 2003

Hospitality Hall in the lower level of St. Joan of Arc Church has seen all manner of generosity and fellowship, but rarely is it visited by such a beehive of activity as during the semi-annual blood drive. On Sunday, July 6th the room seemed particularly inviting, a thermally-correct combination of cool air conditioning and warm welcomes to all donors.

Twice a year, over the 4th of July weekend and again near Christmas, St. Joan of Arc hosts a blood drive in cooperation with Memorial Blood Centers. The timing of the drives is driven by two facts. 1) Blood donations tend to slow down near the holidays. 2) The need for blood is ongoing and often greater at these times. In just 5 busy hours from 8:00AM until 1:00PM, 65-70 pints of blood are drawn and many lives can be saved.

Parishioners Becky Rose and Charlie Kapp

Becky Rose and Charlene Kapp are the driving force behind the blood drives. Becky is a blood technician at Memorial Blood Centers and it was her idea to involve SJA in the Center’s outreach efforts in 1993. Charlene met Becky while donating in 1994 and offered to help. It has been a joint effort since then. That they do a first-rate job of promoting and organizing the effort is confirmed by the fact that SJA was recently given an award as one of the top 10 community donor organizations.

Before giving their gifts, donors answer many questions to assess their health and ensure a safe blood supply.

People wanting to donate blood were encouraged to make appointments for the drive, but walk-ins were welcomed. There was a bit of nervous camaraderie among those waiting to register, but the wait was short as participants moved first through the registration, then to a private station where there was a short interview and general health was assessed. Those who have been to one of the blood center’s regular locations may have missed the comfortable semi-reclining lounge chairs, but the portable chaise-type of chair used at the remote locations served the purpose well. The well-trained nurses and technicians wasted no time as they quickly and efficiently drew the blood, being sure to observe all of the infection control and safety measures inherent in the process. When they were done donors were invited to sit for a few minutes and enjoy a snack and can of juice, each wearing a wide stretchable tape around their arm - their own “Red (or blue, green, or yellow) Badge of Courage”.

St. Joan of Arc is known for it’s generosity on many fronts, but blood donation is unique. Memorial Blood Center supplies blood and blood components to hospitals in the metro area, Duluth/Superior and the Arrowhead region. In order to meet the needs of those hospitals they must collect approximately 2,100 units of blood every week. Since blood can not be synthetically made, people are the only source, and all blood must be given by volunteer donors. These donors are very special because they give something more valuable than time or money. They give life, and that contribution has no substitute.

If you missed the opportunity to donate at this recent drive, consider calling Memorial Blood Centers to make an appointment at one of their nearby sites. You can give blood every 56 days, so this may be the time to make it a regular habit. And don’t forget to sign up for the Christmas 2003 drive at St. Joan of Arc. The need for blood knows no seasons.

Sue O'Brien is the wife of Tom, mother of four children, and grandmother of six. She is dental hygienist and manages a dental practice in Spring Lake Park. A parishioner for many years, Sue worked as a caregiver at Grace House for seven years, beginning the week it opened. Now she is looking forward to meeting new people at St. Joan of Arc as she helps out as a web reporter and photographer. Sue can be reached at sueo-b@comcast.net.

Memorial Blood Centers www.mbc.org Minneapolis- 2304 Park Avenue 612-871-3300 Downtown Minneapolis- 115 Roanoke Building. 109 South Seventh Street 612-673-1088 Coon Rapids- 3200 Main Street 763-210-0032 Plymouth- 3021 Harbor Lane North 763-550-9011

Amie Rankin, a resident of the Regina Neighborhood, believes strongly in balancing "community solutions" and "individual responsibility ". She is passionately committed to the exposure and the expansion of Companion Animals in our society. Employed full time with Chicago Title Insurance Company, Amie has many interests; photography is just one of them. "Heart," "Spark," "Spirit," -- whatever word we use for the mysterious force that animated us, its full potential cannot be realized in isolation. (Paul Loeb- SOUL OF A CITIZEN)