Photo: Claudina Massey knows the importance of giving blood and does it as often as she can.
We are in an emergency appeal right now, which means our blood supply is critically low. That gets a little scary. We don’t put the ‘Emergency Appeal’ sign out very often, but when we do it means we really need blood donations.”Maggie Czermak
CULLMAN – This year’s annual Cullman City vs. Cullman County Competition Blood Drive was held on Friday. People came from miles around to participate. City fans rolled up their sleeves at the bloodmobiles located at Dick’s Sporting Goods and the Wal-Mart on Highway 157, while Cullman County donors waited their turn at the bloodmobiles located at the Cullman County Courthouse and the Olive Street Wal-Mart. At the end of the day, Cullman County came out on top, with a total of 79 pints of blood collected. Cullman City wasn’t too far behind with their 59 pints.
“We’ve been really busy today,” said Maggie Czermak from LifeSouth Community Blood Center. “I’m not sure how the other locations have done, but we’ve had 25 people donate here so far. We are very glad because we are in an emergency appeal right now, which means our blood supply is critically low. That gets a little scary. We don’t put the ‘Emergency Appeal’ sign out very often, but when we do it means we really need blood donations.”
Friday’s blood drive competition will go a long way in alleviating the current shortage of blood. According to LifeSouth, each blood donation can save up to three lives. Blood donors are heroes and each person who came out and gave blood were rewarded with a free T-shirt, a steak sandwich from the Cattlemen’s Association and a chance to win some great door prizes including gift cards, free oil changes and more.
“Well, I just happened to be in town and saw the bloodmobile this afternoon,” said Claudina Massey. “I have had open heart surgery in the past so I know the importance of giving blood so any time I see a truck out, if I can, I try to donate. I’d like to urge everyone to give blood. It is very important. I mean, you never know when you are going to need to get blood yourself,” she smiled.
Once a blood donor, it seems like people remain blood donors for life. That seems to be the case for Julie Butler.
“I used to give blood all the time, like every three months when I was a teenager and in my early twenties,” she explained. “When I got pregnant and started having kids, my iron dropped really bad so I couldn’t give blood. I kind of got out of the habit of giving blood. But this is the second bloodmobile I have seen today, so I felt it was my ‘sign’ to stop by and give blood – if my iron is okay, that is.
“My daughter is 17 and I have been fussing at her to give blood,” she continued. “She finally gave blood at school this year. She came home and told me, ‘It’s not that bad, Mom,’” she chuckled. “I have always enjoyed giving blood, it’s good for you.”
Friday’s Cullman City vs. Cullman County Competition Blood Drive was a huge success thanks to everyone who came out and participated. Even though the County brought in the most blood donations, all are considered superheroes, especially to people whose lives will be saved as a result.
For more information about donating blood, locating a local bloodmobile or hosting your own blood drive, visit lifesouth.org.
