‘It’s a beautiful thing’

WINTERSVILLE - Area residents who donated blood on Media Day Blood Drive for the American Red Cross Jefferson County Chapter know the importance of the act.

"I try to donate as often as possible," said Walter Simpson, Steubenville resident. "For one thing, I do it because I'm trying to help somebody. It's easy to get into a lot of things than to help somebody, but this only takes a little time. It's a beautiful thing to donate blood, especially for our servicemen."

Simpson, like several other donors who made it to St. Florian Hall Tuesday for the day-long event, typically donates blood several times a year.

"I feel like I'm helping someone when I do this. There's no doubt," said Shirley Fithen, a Bloomingdale resident. "When I was young, my dad had to have a blood transfusion every other week. There weren't blood drives then. This is important. It's the right thing to do."

Kathy Musso, executive director of the local Red Cross chapter, noted this year's goal was to obtain 150 units of blood.

"We've had a great response," Musso said, adding that the traffic of people going in and out of the blood drive was very steady.

"It's great. There's been a good flow, and no one has had to wait too long," Musso said. "At lunch time we see more people come in because they're on their lunch breaks. And after they donate, they can have a seat at the goody table."

She noted the blood drive Tuesday netted 125 units.

Musso added each donor received a free T-shirt; pizza donated by Ray's Pizza and Vocelli Pizza; and fruit and Krispy Kreme doughnuts donated by Kwik King in Wintersville.

"In the summertime our donations drop off because people are away on vacation," Musso said. "We need people to come out in case people need blood. Blood has to be on the shelf. It can't wait until someone needs it."

Some of the donors Tuesday have been regulars of the Red Cross for years.

"I've been donating for about 10 years," said Ronnie Stillwagon, a Red Cross volunteer and donor. "I just know how beneficial it is to everybody. It's easy to help out. My one hour of time helps people who need it."

Stillwagon noted that he likes to attend the Media Blood Day because the event offers the double red cell donor machines.

Kara Klink, a collection specialist for the American Red Cross, explained the double red cell donor machine works by drawing a donor's blood and separating the red blood cells from the platelets, plasma and white blood cells that are taken in whole blood donation.

After separation, the machine returns the remaining blood components, along with 500 cubic centimeters of saline, back into the donor's arm.

"The double red machine is better for patients, and it feels cool coming back in," Stillwagon said.

"It's better for the recipient to receive two units of red blood cells, and the donor may feel more hydrated after the donation because they don't lose the liquid portion of their blood," Klink added.

The American Red Cross Jefferson County Chapter holds traveling blood drives at several locations in the country throughout the year, and people can donate at the chapter office located at 81 Talbott Drive.

Another drive is planned from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday at the Fort Steuben Mall.

For information, call (740) 264-7244.

(Lauttamus may be contacted at bsadler@heraldstaronline.com.)