Half a Century

For the last 50 years, the Sparta Lions Club has sponsored local blood-giving efforts here in the county. The blood drive, which is held on the last Monday of every other month, brings in an average of 40 to 50 people. Lions Club members Gil Thadani and George White also serve as coordinators of the local effort as well as serve on the Wilkes-Alleghany County Board of Directors for the Red Cross.

"About 50 years ago, they wanted someone to sponsor the bloodmobile in Alleghany County and because the Lions Club does all these good things, we jumped into it and we've been sponsoring (the) Red Cross Bloodmobile ever since," Thadani said. "The blood drive helps people and that's what we (members of the Lions Club) stand for. The motto for the club is 'we serve.' This (the blood drive) is something to help the humanity."

Speaking of the blood drive, White said, "It's really important. It's one of those things that science hasn't been able to replace...there is no substitute for blood. The individuals who come in and give blood are literally giving the gift of life because people having operations or have been in really bad wrecks (are) people who need blood. There is no substitute for it."

Through the Years

Thadani explained in the early years of the blood drive, "It used to be that volunteers helped with the setup the bloodmobile, like putting tubes in the bags...it used to be like that. But the privacy laws and the protection and all of those things have changed," he said. "They bring their own staff to do the vital signs, history, the interview and the fixing (of) the bags. We are here to provide them the place and are ready to assist them if they need any other workers." Thadani added he, White and volunteer Carolyn Sprinkle coordinate the event, scheduling an appointment time for each potential donor and in some cases, make calls to remind individuals of an upcoming bloodmobile event.

During the event, volunteers Alice Edwards, Carolyn Sprinkle and Peggy Duncan are assigned duties to make the blood drive go smoothly. At the door, potential donors are greeted by volunteer Cliff Phillips .After each individual has donated blood, they are greeted with the smiling faces of the trio of volunteers, as well as a drink and sweet treats.

Get the rest of this article in this week's issue of the Alleghany News! Back