Washington hosts blood drive

The United Presbyterian Church in Washington held a community blood drive Oct. 15.

Don Pfeiffer, Blood Drive Coordinator of the Optimist Club of Washington, said the drive was very successful, as 117 donors were able to donate a pint of blood to help save the lives of others. 108 persons donated whole blood and 9 donated double red blood cells for a total credit for the afternoon of 126 units. Chris Ciasto, spokesperson for the Mississippi Valley River Regional Blood Center, Davenport, said 'This blood has the ability to improve the lives of up to 504 patients and their families.”

'This effort was achieved by dedicated work of Optimist Club of Washington members who hosted this Blood Drive for the Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center from Davenport,” Pfeiffer said. 'But the credit is to the donors who know the value of blood that will save lives who agreed to donate when called or went online to reserve an appointment.”

Two persons donated for the first time. Pfeiffer said this is an important step to giving blood in the future. One donor gave his 326th pint of blood. That is over 40 gallon of blood given a pint at a time.

The next Washington Community Blood Drive will be Dec. 17 at the United Presbyterian Church and the host will be the Noon Kiwanis Club.