Blood drives make CLC the lifeblood of the community
Ashley Meyer
Staff Writer
Some might consider donating blood to be a frightening experience. Others might say it’s rewarding. According to Adrienne Cole, mobile supervisor for LifeSource, “It’s not a job—it’s saving lives.”
Cole has been with LifeSource for 28 years and knew since college she wanted to go into the medical field and help others. LifeSource was her calling.
Cole said LifeSource is a great organization with great staff and “wonderful donors.”
“It’s a great thing, what we do,” she said.
One significant change Cole has noticed in her years as a phlebotomist, someone who draws blood, is the growth high school students have experienced.
“It’s really something to watch (students) grow,” she said. “Our donors are very heart-warming.”
Cole also noted that, though there have been many recent innovations in medication and technology, donating blood is essentially the same process it has been in the past and donors are still saving lives every day.
Donors are absolutely crucial to the process of blood transfusions. Blood is not something a person can simply buy at the store, nor is it something that comes in large quantities. A person is capable of donating every eight weeks at community blood drives, schools, churches, temples, businesses, or wherever a blood drive may be hosted.
LifeSource operates as far east as Indiana to as far north as Wisconsin 5250-1 Grand Ave. Gurnee , IL
In order to donate, lifesource.org states you must weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good physical health and be at least 17 years old. As a donor, you can potentially save up to three lives.
One donor, John Glueckert, has donated more than 20 times. Only once has he ever had a bad experience. He looks at donating as a way to give back to the community.
“I have the opportunity to try and make a difference in the lives of others,” Glueckert said.
Glueckert donates regularly through both LifeSource and Red Cross, two programs which alternate visits to CLC about three times each in one school year.
Phlebotomist, Cindy Leavell, has only been with LifeSource for a short period of time. After graduating from CLC, she pursued her interest in blood donation and has been on LifeSource’s staff for three years.
Leavell’s intentions are to help others.
“I’ve only had good experiences… I’ve gotten used to the fainting,” Leavell said. “You just want to help (the donor) as much as you can.”
The act of donating blood takes no more than 20 minutes. Registering, waiting, being medically interviewed, and participating in a mini physical are all tedious, but necessary steps to be taken before the donation process can begin. Donors can look forward to the snacks and juice at the end.
