Due to shortages in blood supplies, an emergency appeal was recently issued by the American Red Cross, according to Jennifer Books, who works as an account manager for the agency's Columbia office.
Books said blood donations are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, and more donations are needed now to replenish the blood supply.
Rising to this challenge, the Super Sam Foundation is planning one of the largest blood drives in Callaway County. This is the organization's fourth annual event, and it will be noon-6 p.m. July 26 at St. Peters Church.
The Super Sam Foundation was formed in memory of Sam Santhuff, who had a rare cancer, Rhabdomyosarcoma. His mom, Cassie, said the first blood drive was organized while he was still living.
"Sam wanted to help," she said. "We had such a great turnout, and it brought so much joy."
Santhuff said children are the No. 1 users of blood products.
"Sam had 148 transfusions," she said of his 13-month fight with the disease, which ended on Sept. 19, 2014. "I would add there are a lot of local kids fighting cancer and getting blood."
She said donations of blood kept Sam with his family longer.
"It saves their lives," Santhuff said. "They're literally kept alive by the selflessness of others."
Santhuff said at the July 26 blood drive, there also will be kits available for people to register as bone marrow donors. And everyone who comes to donate blood - whether they ultimately are able to give or not - will receive a free Super Sam T-shirt sporting the foundation's new logo created by Millersburg graphic artist James Bratten.
"We've gotten a tremendous amount of feedback on the new logo," Santhuff said. "It's actually trademarked now. That happened about two weeks ago, so we're very excited."
To make an appointment for this blood drive, go to www.redcrossblood.org and search "SuperSam" (one word).
Why donate?
One donation can save up to three lives. According to Joe Zydio, Red Cross communications manager, the emergency appeal was issued a week ago.
"We issued this last Wednesday, July 5, as donations have dipped significantly since mid-May," he said, adding statistics for the Missouri and southwest Illinois area. "We have had over 2,500 fewer donations in May and June combined. With school being out (we do 20 percent of our blood drives at schools) and people taking vacations, it is a 'double-whammy' for us. Sadly, the hospitals and patients we partner with do not get a vacation so we have to stress the importance."
It is crucial the Red Cross has a sufficient blood supply on hand to meet the needs of patients every day and to be prepared for emergencies requiring significant volumes of donated blood products, according to Books. She said blood donations cannot be stockpiled; red blood cells must be transfused within 42 days of donation and platelets within just five days.
Santhuff said she believed so much in what the American Red Cross was doing locally she ended up working there.
"I sought out the Red Cross because I wanted to help," she said, adding she gave up another long-term career to do so. "It helps so many people."
For more information about the Super Sam Foundation blood drive, contact Santhuff, at [email protected].