Poplar Bluff ophthalmologist Dr. Porter Smith was in a bad car wreck about three years ago.
While he didn’t need a blood transfusion, he knows that many people do, and now he tries to donate every three to four months.
Smith was among the donors who signed up Tuesday to participate in a community blood drive co-hosted by the Daily American Republic and the American Red Cross. The event was held at the Greater Poplar Bluff Area Chamber of Commerce.
It is imperative Americans take the time to donate blood to keep the nation’s blood supply stable, according to the Red Cross, which reports that while they take the largest number of donations when there has been a catastrophic event, there is a need for blood year-round.
The message isn’t a new one, and it is incredibly important, said Donna Farley, DAR editor. The Red Cross needs to collect more than 13,000 units of blood each day to save lives here and across the country.
“The first time I covered a blood drive for the Daily American Republic, I met a high school senior at Twin Rivers who wanted to donate in memory of a cousin she had lost to cancer, a father who brought his children in hopes they would one day want to do the same and a mother who hadn’t donated in 18 years, but was prompted to make a difference,” Farley said. “Every person who donates has a story like that and the DAR was happy to be able to help this year and last year in sponsoring March blood drives for the American Red Cross.”
The registration procedure to give blood is simple and quick, and those who pre-registered online were able to move through the process with even greater ease Tuesday than those who were walk-ins, but both are always welcome.
Poplar Bluff resident Jyssica Morris said she tries to donate as often as possible.
“I have given over a gallon at this point,” said Morris during Tuesday’s event. “My grandpa had leukemia and I feel it’s very important to donate for many reasons, and also I just like to put good into the world.”
Goldie Garrett of Poplar Bluff said she has donated over two gallons of life-saving blood because she knows it is needed. She said she is now signed up for email alerts from the Red Cross, so she will be donating more because she will be made aware of more locations for upcoming drives.
Poplar Bluff resident Buzz Downing said he has donated over eight gallons of blood.
“It started in the mid-80s with a good friend of mine,” said Downing. “I reminded him of that not long ago. I’ve done it many times, but my wife passed with cancer about five and a half years ago so it took on a different meaning for me.
“Now, my birthday is coming up so I’m giving the gift of life.”
Downing said he has brought other friends and his granddaughter with him to donate in hopes of inspiring them to donate as well.
“I’m trying to pay it forward,” said Downing. “Every time I donate, I put a picture on Facebook to encourage others. It’s something I am passionate about, you never know, your loved one may be the next one to need a transfusion.”
Just a few examples of how that blood may be used, the Red Cross reports, are for car accident victims — one of which could need as many as 100 units of blood — for mothers suffering complications in childbirth, and for patients receiving treatment for cancer or blood disorders.
Every 2 seconds someone in the United States needs blood, they have shared.
“The only way they can do that is with our help,” Farley said. “I want to thank everyone who came out today to help with that mission, and everyone who regularly signs up to donate blood.
“If you weren’t able to make it out today, please consider participating in another drive in our area.”
Upcoming drives include:
• Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday.
• Poplar Bluff High School, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 31.
• EBO MD, 2725 N. Westwood Blvd., 9 a.m.-1 p.m. April 7
• First United Methodist Church, 500 N. Main St., 1:30-5:30 p.m. April 11
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints - Poplar Bluff, 2414 Katy Lane, 1:30-5:30 p.m. April 18
• John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. April 18
There are several different ways to donate, according to the Red Cross. The most typical donation is a whole blood donation, which consists of taking one unit or pint of blood that is usually given to patients undergoing surgery or trauma patients. A Power Red donation often goes to trauma patients, mothers needing emergency transfusions during birth, infants and people with sickle cell anemia. The Power Red donation consists of taking two units of red blood cells, which are separated by a machine, plasma is removed from the blood and platelets are returned to the donor. There are platelet and plasma donation options as well.
For more information about blood drives in your area, visit redcross.org.