David Weber knows how to help more people when he donates blood at Tomah Health / Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin blood drives. The Warrens resident and pastor at St. Matthew Lutheran Church near Warrens was one of 71 people who donated blood during a two-day drive held Jan. 15 & 16 at Recreation Park in Tomah.
When possible, Weber makes a double red blood donation which is similar to a whole blood donation, except a special machine is used to allow the donor to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation while returning plasma and platelets to the donor. Officials say double red donations save time and allow donors to give more of the product that is needed most by patients.
“I get twice the donation in one sitting,” explained Weber. “It seems like fewer people get to do it because of the iron levels now, so the pool is a little bit smaller, so I’m glad to do it. I just know there’s a need. I hear about it on media that we’re short, and so it’s something I can do,” said Weber, who has been donating blood for nearly 40 yrs.
Weber said the hospital’s relationship with Versiti is another reason why he donates. “I like to shop local, and so to think that my blood is useful too,” said Weber. Blood collected during the Tomah drives helps to support nearly 50 hospitals in Wisconsin including Tomah Health. “I got a letter last time that my blood went to Menomonee Falls, and I have a nephew who’s a police officer there, so there’s a little connection,” Weber added.
Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin account representative Emalea Cogdill said collections during the two-day drive will put 161 life-saving blood products on the shelves at our community hospitals. “Although winter weather and illness affect donations across the state this time of year, the Tomah Community again understood the significant impact each and every donation has on the blood supply,” said Cogdill. “Keeping our hospital partners with the blood they need each and every day to treat our communities can only be done with the generosity of donations.”
Tomah Health and Versiti have scheduled their next drive March 12 & 13 at Recreation Park in Tomah.