I would like to thank everyone who made the first Lauren Schwab Memorial Blood Drive a success. In total, there were 125 pints of blood drawn. This was 38.8% over our original goal of 90 units. The pints drawn don’t even account for the number of participants who tried donating, but were deferred due to low hemoglobin or recent travel. With each unit of blood having the potential of helping three lives, Lauren’s blood drive will save 375 people!

Lauren Schwab was a board member and an avid volunteer of the American Red Cross. It was an honor to be the blood coordinator of her blood drive. It was wonderful to see the community’s support for the Schwab family.

I thank Pat, Beth, Nathan and Paiton for giving me their blessing in naming the blood drive after Lauren. Their strength and resolve is unparallel. I thank Elaine Hansen and Megan Hilgart of the American Red Cross for giving me the opportunity to host a blood drive. I thank Michelle Kuddes, Kristi Stasi and the YMCA for the location. I thank Corey Anderson and GPP for donating our T-shirts. I thank Diane Baker for designing our T-shirts. I thank Alex Elliott and Diane Baker for the donation of food. I thank Mckenzie Besel, Kristine Snyder, Alex Hansen, Deb Thompson Goodew, Luke Goodew, Erin Dankert, Karen and Leslie Fuerstenberg, Emily Sayles, Tara Watkins, and Robert Wahlert for volunteering their time and energy. I thank my mother, Agnes Wahlert, for all the miscellaneous tasks she performed. I thank the American Red Cross blood technicians and staff for working so hard for two solid days. I thank all the donors who came and patiently waited to give.

The summer is a difficult time for blood banks. If you were not able to donate during Lauren’s drive, please consider donating at any of the area drives.

 

Rachel Wahlert

Board Member of The Freeborn/Mower Chapter of the American Red Cross