Fulton Rotary sponsors first blood drive

Connor Pearson/FULTON SUN
Rotary Club members Ken Niemeyer, left, Mike Boulware and Mary Ann Beahon share a laugh while waiting their turns to give blood.
Connor Pearson/FULTON SUN Rotary Club members Ken Niemeyer, left, Mike Boulware and Mary Ann Beahon share a laugh while waiting their turns to give blood.

The Fulton Rotary Club had its first blood drive Wednesday in the local YMCA's gymnasium.

With the help of the American Red Cross, the club was able to generate 19 units, with more than 24 members of the Fulton community donating, according to Jennifer Books, Fulton Rotary's incoming president.

A single unit of blood can save up to three lives, she said. That blood will go on to help people within the Missouri-Illinois blood services region, which distributes donated blood to hospitals around Missouri, Southern Illinois, and Eastern Kansas.

ARC officials recently issued an emergency call for blood after 37,000 fewer donations were received in November and December, which includes a shortage of 319 donations within the Missouri-Illinois blood services region.

Books, who also is an account manager for ARC, helped plan and organize the event.

"I noticed that Rotary had never done a drive," Books said. "It doesn't cost anything; you just need the volunteers and the man hours. The Red Cross provides everything."

Books said she feels a strong connection to the Red Cross organization, as she has family members who have received donated blood in the past. During a routine surgery, Book's mother required a blood transfusion to keep from bleeding out. This inspired Books to not only work for the Red Cross but to organize donation events like this one, she said.

"I want to save lives," Books added. "We are saving lives."

Books also noted people tend to ignore the need for blood until they themselves need some.

"You don't think about it until you need it. You can't make it; you can't go buy it. But if you have ever needed blood or had a family member need blood, you know how important it is."

Fulton Rotary members not only volunteered at the event but gave blood as well. Mary Ann Beahon, the current president of the Fulton Rotary Club, started giving blood as part of a Greek challenge.

"Now its a lifetime thing for me," Beahon said. "It's something I do on a regular basis."

Other Rotarians also are long-time donors.

"I have given blood many times," member Mike Boulware said. "I give around four times a year."

Matt Gowin and his wife Amanda, both Rotary Club members, said they each recognize a need for blood donations and the club's duty to help fill it.

"The drive goes well with the Rotary's purpose: To serve the community," Matt Boulware said.

"That's right," Amanda Boulware agreed. "There is always a low supply and a high need."

Fulton Middle School will also host a blood drive on Feb. 3 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the gymnasium. The school is at 403 E. 10th St. Open to the public, citizens looking to donate can schedule an appointment by calling 1-800-REDCROSS (733-2767) or by going to redcrossblood.org and typing in FultonMiddleSchool. Walk-ins are also welcome.