Do you ever wonder why Fred dresses like Uncle Sam?

You may know that Jennifer and Fred Massey coordinate the Red Cross Blood Drives for St. Catherine’s, but do you know why it is so important to them?  They know how important it is to save lives AND they love a good challenge! 

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Before they joined our parish in 1991, St. Catherine’s hosted two blood drives a year.  They were well attended but the Red Cross asked for more help.  The Masseys stepped up to coordinate six blood drives a year.

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There happens to be a blood donation center on Roswell Road, very near our building.  But, Fred pointed out that people like to donate in a familiar place, with friendly, encouraging faces.  John Iacobelli found that to be true!  He donated blood for the first time in years and rediscovered that he has the highly valued Type 0 blood.  While making his donation, he also tried unsuccessfully to challenge Fred’s speed record for donating in 3 minutes and 15 seconds.  (Too much coffee perhaps?)

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Donating with your friends from church can start a life-long habit.  Rebecca Westin started donating recently.  She just finished her freshman year of college and she said “it seemed like a simple way to give back.  My dad is the one who really convinced me to go.  I plan to give again after my 8 weeks are up!” 

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What’s in it for you?  You are welcomed warmly by Jennifer and her team of volunteers!  You receive a blood pressure and heart rate check – it’s almost like a mini wellness check!  And, you get to eat cookies and drink juice while you rest! 

 

There is no substitute for human blood.  When someone needs it, they are dependent on someone making a donation in advance.  Blood has a limited shelf life but each donation can save up to three people.  Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.   However, only 37 percent of our country's population is eligible to give blood, and less than 10 percent of those who can donate actually do donate annually.

 

Join us for the next blood drive on August 20th!  Plenty of Nutter Butter Cookies guaranteed for all donors!