Big 33 for Clyde!

Thanks to all who participated in the Central Blood Bank mobile blood drive held at Knoch High School's parking lot on Sunday!  33 pints of blood were donated, which means dozens of lives may be saved or enhanced.  Thanks to Clyde and Pat Campbell for thinking of offering this opportunity to the folks of New Life and the Saxonburg community.  Clyde has received a number of units of blood or blood "parts" during his treatment for leukemia, and thought it would be good for us to hold a blood drive to help replenish the supply.  The goal for the drive was at least 20 units, so the "Big 33" that were donated far surpassed the goal.  Thanks to the administration of the South Butler School District for permitting us to have the Blood Mobile in the parking lot and for the Central Blood Bank folks for being there early on a Sunday morning, too!

As the first donor of the day, I had the opportunity to give "twice," as they used the relatively new technology of taking two units of red cells and giving me back some of the fluid along with some "contact lens solution" (actually saline solution) as Abby puts it.  The nurse from the Central Blood Bank explained that giving the double units makes it safer for those--such as trauma victims--who need more than one unit of blood, because there's less chance of infection when two units are given from the same donor.  While it takes a little longer than giving one unit, the needle is SMALLER, and there's no waiting after donating, because you don't lose any overall fluid volume.  For a preacher -- or ANYONE -- on the go, it's a great way to make a good thing twice as good!