Waterville, Minnesota, a community impacted by recent flooding and still recovering, came together to donate blood on Monday. “We have a lot of helpful people in our small community,” said Barb, a former Red Cross volunteer and blood donor who helped organize blood drives for nearly 24 years.
The blood drive filled up quickly and they had to add appointments to accommodate those who wanted to roll up a sleeve. In fact, the community surpassed the blood drive goal – reaching 110% of expected donations.
The drive was sponsored by the high school student Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) group in the Watertown, Elysian and Morristown school district. The group tries to host five blood drives a year, and this was the first drive in Waterville since the flooding in June. The next drive is already scheduled for November.
“We try and make it fun!” exclaimed Tricia, the group’s advisor. Sometimes they have special T-shirts made, special treats for donors, or themes to make it more interesting. “We try to get 16 year-olds to become first-time donors.”
Donors included Megan, a high school senior and Red Cross volunteer, who is already a Certified Nursing Assistant and plans to pursue a career in healthcare. “I started donating because it gave me another way to help people that really need it,” she says. “When someone is nervous about donating I just remind them of how they could be saving someone’s life.” Megan and Jocelyn, a student lead for the blood drive, helped check-in donors.
We’re amazed that people affected by their own disaster have stayed committed to helping others through blood donation this summer as we are facing an emergency shortage. Thank you, Waterville and surrounding areas for giving back in such a meaningful way!
You can help, too. Click here to make an appointment to give and help patients counting on lifesaving blood products being available.
American Red Cross Minnesota and Dakotas Region 