Locals give a part of themselves

By ROBBY LUCKE
Staff

Monday's blood drive in Sparta did not quite set a record.

But it certainly wasn't because of lack of willing donors. About one-fourth of those who came to donate were turned away due to staff and storage capacity limitations.

Russ Pearson, director of the Wilkes-Alleghany chapter of the American Red Cross, said that across the nation, blood donors are signing up in record numbers, including record numbers of first-time donors, following the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. "People are really behind us," he said.

Brandi Brannock of Ennice (foreground) and Frankie Parker of Sparta give blood during Monday's drive at Sparta United Methodist Church. Brannock was one of seven first-time donors; Parker has been donating for about a year.

Pearson explained that the need for blood in New York City and Washington, D.C. was not as great as initially thought — largely because most of the casualties were fatalities.

Volunteer Coordinator Debbie White had indicated last week that the Bloodmobile hours would likely be extended for Monday's drive, which was one of six drives per year sponsored by the Sparta Lions Club. However, not enough Red Cross staff members were available for such an extension.

At Monday's drive, held at Sparta United Methodist Church, 74 people registered as donors, including seven first-timers. That number does not include about 25 who were turned away because of the staff/storage limitations.

They were asked to reschedule to donate another time. Pearson said some who had appointments for Monday were called and asked to reschedule as well.

White said she initially scheduled 95 appointments, about double the normal amount. "We probably could have had 200-plus," she said.

Brandi Brannock of Ennice was one of Monday's first-time donors. She said news of the tragedy in New York was a factor. "I heard they needed blood; I wanted to do my part for the country," she said.

There was interest from several local factories, White said, and some future drives may be scheduled at those facilities.

Vickie Scott, secretary at the church, said the appointment book for the next Lions Club blood drive is already filled.

That drive will be held Nov. 26 at Bruce Osborne Post 7034 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. The Lions Club blood drives are held at Sparta UMC during the warm-weather months and at the VFW the remainder of the year.

Blood drives are also held locally at Alleghany Memorial Hospital and at Alleghany High School.

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