Becky Kuntzelman | Johnson Publications
Kathy Cook of Lamar waits patiently to give blood. She is one of several local donors who have given more than 100 units.
courtesy photo
Barb Prottsman reached donations of 120 units of blood Tuesday. She is wearing one of the T-shirts given out to all donors that day.
Mechanical failure affects blood drive; goal just missed
The Red Cross bloodmobile was at Chase County Schools (CCS) Tuesday with a goal of collecting 80 units of blood.
The donations fell two units short of the goal, said Angie Paisley, school nurse and drive coordinator.
Part way through the day, the power red machine went down.
Out of the 84 donors who showed up to give blood, three had to leave due to extended wait time, Paisley said.
All blood donations were screened for COVID-19 antibodies and will continue to be screened through the end of April, Paisley said.
“Every donor received a blood donor T-shirt, as well today,” she added.
There is a group of Imperial donors who belong to the 100 units and plus club. Five of those donors were there to give blood Tuesday.
Gina Blocher and Janice Widger reached 100 units each.
Kathy Cook has given 101 units, and Larry Radcliffe reached 106 units.
The all-time highest blood donor so far is Barb Prottsman at 120 units, Paisley said.
Cook shared a story behind why she started giving blood 40 years ago.
“In 1981, my dad got real sick with Leukemia. Over the next year or so, he received over 50 units of blood,” said Cook.
She then said she had a brother who needed eight units of blood and a brother-in-law who received 25 units of blood.
“I wanted to start giving blood as a way of paying it back, and I still am,” she said.
The next two blood drives on the schedule are set for May 20 from 12 noon to 6 p.m. at the fairgrounds expo building, and another on July 20 from 12 noon to 6 p.m. at CCS.