Heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to blood-drive donors | Letters

During the latest San Juan Island blood drive, Dec. 17, Puget Sound Blood Center registered 79 people. This will help build up the blood supply for the holidays and bring health and comfort to many patients.

December 29, 2014 7:05 pm

Thanks to all who rolled up their sleeves to support the San Juan Island Community Blood Drive.

On behalf of patients in our community’s hospitals, I wish to extend our thanks. During your blood drive on Dec. 17, Puget Sound Blood Center registered 79 people. This will help build up the blood supply for the holidays and bring health and comfort to many patients.

Below are just a few of the many patients who recently received blood from Puget Sound Blood Center. Thanks to your effort, the blood was available for them when they needed it.

• 2-year-old patient: Craniotomy; patient used, 8 units red blood cells 1 unit platelets, 6 units plasma and 1 cryoprecipitate pool.

• 29-year-old patient: Obstetric hemorrhage; patient used 8 units red blood cells, 16 units plasma, 5 units platelets and 4 cryoprecipitate pools.

• 66-year-old patient: Arterial Hemorrhage; patient used 10 units red blood cells, 4 units plasma, and 2 units platelets.

• 33-year-old patient: Heart/Liver Transplant patient used 20 units red blood cells, 20 units plasma, 8 units platelets and 6 cryoprecipitate pools.

• 53-year-old patient: Gastrointestinal Bleeding; patient used 8 units red blood cells and 8 units plasma.

• 52-year-old patient: Post Open Heart Surgery; patient used 17 units red blood cells, 3 units plasma, and 1 cryoprecipitate pool.

Thanks to all the donors who took time out of their busy day to donate blood.

With great appreciation to San Juan Island Lions Club for blood drive sponsorship; Curt VanHyning for organizing the drive and San Juan Island Lions Club members for their assistance; the Mullis Center for providing the blood drive site; Gordy Waite for promoting the drive at Friday Harbor High School, Becki Day, Jim Cole, Paul Barger and Robin Delazerda for helping spread the word; and the volunteers who helped on the day of the drive. We couldn’t have done it without you.

The blood donations collected at the blood drive are critical in order to maintain a stable blood supply for surgeries, medical emergencies, and for supporting patients battling life-threatening illnesses like cancer and leukemia.

Each weekday, 900 people must donate blood to meet the needs of patients in western Washington hospitals. Your blood drive has played an important role in helping meet that goal.

Next blood drive is Wednesday, March 18.

Carol Rondello, mobile representative/Puget Sound Blood Center