For years, Beverly Spande organized and helped volunteer at blood drives, but she also has received a blood donation herself in the past. The insight she gained from that experience stays with her to this day in her work at blood drives. “I know that it is important that it’s there for you if you need it,” the outgoing American Red Cross blood drive organizer at Central Lutheran Church said.
This year, after volunteering since 2005, Spande is stepping down from organizing drives. She enjoys her work so much, though, that she is staying on as a volunteer. “I will still, even though I’m 91,” she said. “I can’t just sit home and twiddle my thumbs.”
Unfortunately for those who need it, blood may not be there. The Red Cross, which collects about 40 percent of the U.S. blood supply, announced in January that it is facing a national blood crisis that represents the most significant shortage of blood in more than 10 years. “We have a lot of hospitals and clinics that rely on us for the blood products they need for their patients,” Executive Director of the American Red Cross serving Southeast Minnesota Melanie Tschida said. “When we don’t have the supply, we can’t meet the demand.” Not being able to meet demand means health care providers may have to talk with their patients about waiting to do a procedure until more blood is available, Tschida said. Those battling cancer or chronic illness, as well as those involved in traumatic events such as car accidents, also may need blood, she said.
Leave a Reply