Parish Nurse Ministry, local churches partner to increase blood donations in Hudson by 30 percent
Laurel Lake Parish Nurse Ministry, local churches
rally Hudson community for life
Blood collections in Hudson increase 30% with help from local nonprofits, making Hudson and its donors one of the most generous communities in Northeast Ohio
July 15, 2008
– You often hear heroic stories of a community that comes together for a tremendous cause. There is no better example of this than the city of Hudson rallying together to donate blood. It all began with Howard Johnson.
In 1999, Howard wasn’t feeling well and went through many tests and procedures. He was diagnosed with anemia and started receiving blood transfusions for his treatment. As of June 2008, Howard has received over 343 units of blood and continues to need an average of six units of blood per month. Howard’s life hangs in the balance as he relies on the kindness of strangers to help.
Karen Verner, RN is coordinator of the Laurel Lake Parish Nurse Ministry, established by Laurel Lake Retirement Community in Hudson with partnersSt. Mary Catholic Church and First Congregational Church. When Karen met Howard, a long-time member of First Congregational Church, and learned of his story she immediately wanted to help him, and started organizing an American Red Cross blood drive in his honor. Not only did she want to recruit blood donors, but she also wanted to educate the Hudson community on why blood donors are needed.
Karen, a blood donor herself, began promoting the drive far in advance and placed a basket out after church services to collect paper "drops of blood". Members were asked to fill out their "drop" if they were planning on donating. These were used to gauge the interest level from the congregation so that the drive could be planned for properly. She worked diligently to organize the drive and recruited donors and volunteers from the church. She even made sure the Red Cross staff received a hot, home-cooked meal the day of the drive. The first drive in October 2006 collected 39 pints and included donations from 10 First Time Donors. To date drives at First Congregational Church have collected 238 pints for area patient care.
Karen was so enthusiastic with the response at First Congregational that she was determined to bring blood drives back to her home parish of St. Mary’s. The first drive in February 2007 was an immediate success. Blood Drives at St. Mary’s have collected 332 pints, and have also been responsible for an amazing 103 First Time Donors!
St. Mary will host its next blood drive on Sunday, August 17th from 8:30 to 1:30. Their goal is to collect 90 pints.
Hosting drives at these two locations has helped the Northern Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross collect over 570 additional pints since October of 2006. These two sites have helped blood collections in Hudson increase 30% over previous years, making Hudson and its Donors one of the most generous communities in Northeast Ohio.
The hugely successful drives are a direct result of the thriving Laurel Lake Parish Nurse Ministry with partnersSt. Mary Catholic Church and First Congregational Church, finding new and creative ways to improve the health and wellbeing of local residents.
Laurel Lake Retirement Community first initiated the Parish Nurse Ministry in 2003. Today the Parish Nurse Ministry continues to be funded through the Laurel Lake Foundation and the two churches, offering life-enhancing services including counseling, education; advocacy and referrals; support & spiritual care; monthly blood pressure screenings; annual flu shot clinics; newsletters and community health fairs; a Friendly Visitor Ministry, hospital, nursing home, and home visits; assistance with medical bill and insurance claim resolution; exercise and meditative yoga classes; Healing Services; a Prayer Quilt Ministry; and now, the blood drives.
"We can’t thank the Hudson community enough for their dedication to donating blood. It’s so amazing to see their support for Howard Johnson and other patients who need blood. They may never truly realize how significant their donation really is – they are touching hundreds of lives!" states Jenny Popis, Communications Specialist for the Red Cross.
Howard is just one example of so many different patients who need blood every day in northern Ohio. Thanks to volunteer blood donors, Howard is able to spend time with his friends and family, including 6 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. "Each donor gives me another week to live. If you have never donated before, please share your healthy life with someone who needs it," says Howard Johnson.
The Red Cross holds blood drives daily throughout northern Ohio. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in general good health and provide a Red Cross donor card or a valid state-photo ID upon donation. Donors may safely give whole blood every 56 days. To find a blood drive near you, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit RedCrossDonor.org.
For more information about Laurel Lake Retirement Community’s Parish Nurse Ministry and other community benefit programs, visit laurellake.org or contact Barbara Boyce, Director of Development for the Laurel Lake Foundation, at 330-655-1435 or Barbara_Boyce@hmis.org.