Thank you for your support of the San Juan Island Blood Drive

On Wednesday, Aug. 3, we registered a total of 82 whole blood donors, three platelet donors and three double red cell donors at the blood drive. We welcomed 10 first-time-donors and congratulated 11 donors for reaching milestone gallon markers. We were able to collect 68 units of whole blood, three platelet units, and three double red cell units. Your efforts will benefit as many as 210 patients in hospitals we serve. The blood donations collected at the blood drive are critical to maintain a stable blood supply for surgeries, medical emergencies, and for supporting patients battling life-threatening illnesses like leukemia and other cancers.

August 12, 2016 4:30 am

On Wednesday, Aug. 3, we registered a total of 82 whole blood donors, three platelet donors and three double red cell donors at the blood drive. We welcomed 10 first-time-donors and congratulated 11 donors for reaching milestone gallon markers. We were able to collect 68 units of whole blood, three platelet units, and three double red cell units. Your efforts will benefit as many as 210 patients in hospitals we serve. The blood donations collected at the blood drive are critical to maintain a stable blood supply for surgeries, medical emergencies, and for supporting patients battling life-threatening illnesses like leukemia and other cancers.

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; Bruce Martin for organizing the drive and the San Juan Island Lions Club members for recruiting donors; Jon Zerby and Robert Williams for their assistance; Linda Butler and the Mullis Community Center for providing the blood drive site; Becki Day, Jerry Martin, Paul Barger, and Robin Delazerda for helping spread the word; and the Islands Sounder, Islands Weekly, San Juan Islander, and San Juan Journal for their help promoting the blood drive. You all play such an integral role in our mission to save lives – we wouldn’t be able to do it without your help.

On behalf of patients in our community’s hospitals, I wish to extend our thanks to you. Here are a few patients who recently received blood products from Bloodworks Northwest:

• 85-year-old patient: dissecting aneurysm. Patient used: 18 units red blood cells, 14 units plasma, one unit platelets and two units cryoprecipitate pools.

• 65-year-old patient: pancreatic cancer. Patient used: 11 units red blood cells, six units plasma, one unit platelets and one unit cryoprecipitate pools.

• 54-year-old patient: variceal bleed. Patient used: nine units red blood cells, eight units plasma, three unit platelets and three unit cryoprecipitate pools.

• 55-year-old patient: diagnosis of MTP. Patient used: seven units red blood cells, six units plasma, two unit platelets and one unit cryoprecipitate pools.

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