Published: July 17, 2008 08:27 pm         

New Red Cross facility up and running to lend a needed hand

As the summer months roll on, blood donations and blood supply are shrinking at an alarming rate. A recent notice from the American Red Cross reported supplies in central Tennessee and southwest Kentucky have dropped below a 24-hour supply.

"There is a huge need for blood donations during the summer," said Jerry Antoine, manager of donor services in the Tennessee Valley Region for the American Red Cross. "Because of summer activities and vacations, donations tend to be down."

Antoine urges everyone, especially those with blood types O+ and O- and the much rarer B-, to make time to donate blood in the coming weeks.

Donors can take advantage of the new Red Cross Donor Center on East First St. in Crossville, which held its official grand opening Tuesday. Those who meet certain requirements may be able to donate double red cells, which also helps to increase supply because two units can be collected from one donor.

During the grand opening event, Ed Anderson, CEO and president of Cumberland Medical Center, recalled how blood donation was conducted when he was working at CMC in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

"They would call me in at 2 a.m. for a bad wreck, and we wouldn't have any blood on hand," Anderson said. "We would check the patients blood type and go to a card file looking for those with that type to call in to donate."

Anderson said the system worked pretty well, with most people willing to get up in the middle of the night to donate life-saving blood for a stranger.

"When you look at what is available today, it makes me reflect on when it was not so easy," Anderson said.

Cumberland Medical Center donated the office space at 11 East First St. to the Red Cross so the permanent donor site could be established, offering donors greater convenience and flexibility on when they donate.

"CMC is happy and proud to make this available to the Red Cross," Anderson said. "We are happy there is a permanent site to donate blood five days a week that is available to the community."

Steve Beeler, chief executive officer of the Tennessee Valley Region, thanked CMC for their support, and noted the need for blood products in the community has been rising as the community continues to grow.

"This facility will help to address the growing need," Beeler said.

Cumberland County has a history of strong support for blood drives and Red Cross services. Beeler noted the Fairfield Glade community consistently collects more than 100 units every two months, and Cumberland County High School was the first high school in Tennessee outside of Nashville to hold a blood drive for high school students.

Ray Kordek, director of apheresis for the Tennessee Valley Region, said he came to the Red Cross after a five-year battle with cancer, during which he used countless units of donated blood.

Kordek thanked the local chapter of the American Red Cross and Patricia Fields, who was his "right hand" in getting the facility open. The staff was introduced: Donna Potter, team supervisor; Jennifer Goodwin, site supervisor; and Judith Magouirk and April Oakes, collection technicians.

And, of course, blood donors were thanked for giving the gift of life. Donations of blood are used in a variety of medical emergencies and treatments. It is estimated that, every two seconds, someone in the United States will need a blood transfusion.

Crossville Mayor J.H. Graham III also spoke at the event. He thanked the many volunteers in the community who assist the Red Cross in their many activities and efforts.

"To mean, the Red Cross serves those that need to be served," Graham said as he welcomed the new facility.

The Crossville Blood Donor Center is at 11 East First St. and will be open extended hours during this period of blood shortage. Hours are Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome, but donors can make appointments by calling the Crossville office at (931) 337-0247 or 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.

You may donate blood if you are at least 17 years of age, or 16 years old and have parental consent, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in good health on the day of donation. All donors need to present positive identification.