COLDWATER, Ohio - The new monthly community blood drive at Mercer County Community Hospital kicked off Jan. 17 with 67 donors, the highest turn out since Community Blood Center began supplying blood products and hosting blood drives with Mercer Health in 2022.
The first monthly blood drive was a new opportunity for hospital staff members, dressed in their Mercer Health scrubs, to fill the schedule and the donor beds. CBC celebrated with an open house and gift cards for all donors.
"Really? Every month!" said housekeeper Diane Stevens. "I like donating here. This is more family here!"
It was Diane's third donation with Community Blood Center, which hosted three blood drives at Mercer County Community Hospital last year and two at Community Medical Center in Celina.
Tuesday's 67 donors topped 104% of collection goal and included 51 donations and 39 first time donors with CBC. All donors are welcome to add their history of previous blood donations to their record with CBC.
Tuesday's blood drive nearly equaled the total of 76 donors who registered at all three of CBC blood drives at the hospital last year. The two CBC blood drives in Celina totaled 52 donors.
"I would like to hone in on the community because we are tight-knit community," said Mercer Health Lab Director Kate Will, who coordinates the Mercer Health blood drives with CBC account manager Donna Kueterman.
"We enjoy the fact that we're about neighbors helping neighbors. We really want to help our patients, and this is one of the best places to do that."
St. Henry donor John Fullenkamp was the first to sign up for Tuesday's blood drive, and the first community member to donate. He combined his donor history with CBC and now has 104 lifetime donations.
"I started with Community Blood Center when I gave COVID plasma," said John, who is retired after a 30-year career teaching English at Fort Loramie High School. "That was a few years ago. Now I give every couple of months, Ansonia, Versailles, Do Good Ministry, and here.
"I like the closeness. This is right around the corner."
The new schedule of every third Tuesday of the month with the same hours of 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. is especially convenient for hospital staff members.
"On weekends, we don't have a full staff, and you obviously can't get down here because you're working," said radiology worker Erin Kremer. "I was able to come down today."
"I stated donating in high school," said pharmacy staff member Emma Gasson. "I found out about this from the email. I believe in donating blood. It's one of the things I like doing to give back."
Janice Evans learned about the blood drive on Tuesday and donated after completing her shift in the nutrition department. "I always give blood," she said. "I like to help people."
"I like it because I made an appointment and it was quick," said Maria Stein donor Tracy Mescher, who made her first donation with CBC at the hospital blood drive.
Blood drive coordinator Kate Will believes convenience is important to all donors. "The word will spread," she said.
Community Medical Center in Celina will host a CBC blood drive Jan. 30 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. The next Mercer County Community Hospital monthly blood drive is Feb. 21 from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Everyone who registers to donate will receive the "Give Blood, Give Love" long-sleeve, hoody t-shirt. Make an appointment online at www.DonorTime.com, call (937) 461-3220, or use the new Donor Time app.