Blood drive just shy of goal; longtime donors recognized

    On March 23, many community members waited their turn to donate blood at the American Red Cross blood drive in the Chase County Schools auxiliary gym.
    CCS blood drive coordinator Angie Paisley noted that this time the Red Cross team was short-staffed.
    On top of that, they usually bring three Power Red machines, but this time there were only two available.
    Power Red donations count as two units, so only having two machines cut down about four donors to single donations, Paisley said.
    The Imperial goal was 76, and they fell short by only reaching 72.
    “Red Cross gives us a goal and if we hit that goal or we get close, that counts towards the scholarship that the seniors get,” Paisley explained. “We’ll get the full amount this year which is like $3,000 so that’s divided among the seniors who are on the team.”
    Students on the blood drive team begin as sophomores and continue throughout the rest of high school.
    Paisley said the students are in charge of the schedule and calling donors, so they basically run the drive. She’s only there if they need extra help.
    Student team members are Raissa Nevarez, Bryn McNair, Carter Leibbrandt, Madelynn Hanes, Annika McDaniel, Kylee Wiest, Mason Tyerman, Brooke Schilke, Tristan Nordhausen, Sean Heermann, Olivia Spady, Westyn Mendenhall and Jasmine Johnson.
    In total, there were 11 Power Red donors, seven students and four new donors at last week’s drive.
    The blood drive team handed out certificates to donors who have donated two gallons or more.
    Donors who received certificates for reaching a donation milestone last week were Dennis Krutsinger, Larry Radcliffe, Carrie Terryberry, Ashley Vlasin, C.J. Swanson, LeAnn Weiss, Chris Lee, Nick Schultz, Eli Smith and Jan Schultz.
    The next Imperial blood drive is scheduled for May 22.