Community Blood Drive Saves Lives and Raises Money

Because of generous local blood donors, Jefferson Community Health & Life (JCH&L) received a check for $481 as part of the Nebraska Community Blood Bank Hometown Heroes program. The program, which ran from Memorial Day to Labor Day last year, awards monetary funds for an organizational project to communities that pull together for the cause of blood donation.

“Here in Fairbury, the Hometown Heroes funds are allocated to the Fire Department which helps with equipment upgrades and training costs,” said Collin Biesler, Fairbury City Administrator. “As an all-volunteer Fire Department, citizens of Fairbury and Jefferson County rely on a select few dedicated individuals to protect our families. Our partnership with the Nebraska Community Blood Bank (NCBB) is a community effort and it’s great to have NCBB as part of our community.”

Last summer’s JCH&L blood drives collected 56 units of blood and welcomed four new blood donors. In addition to working together to host blood drives, NCBB has supplied blood to the hospital since December 2002.

“We partner with NCBB as a supplier of blood because of cost, service, and the assurance that blood products are from Fairbury and surrounding communities,” said Lana Likens, JCH&L Director of Public Relations.

The first NCBB blood drive hosted at JCH&L took place in October 2003. Since then, donors have given more than 2,000 units of live-saving blood.

If you are interested in being a hero in your community by hosting a blood drive or donating blood contact NCBB at NCBB.ORG or make an appointment for the next Jefferson Community Health & Life blood drive on April 2 at NCBB.ORG/heroes.

Pictured are, from left: Collin Bielser, Fairbury City Administrator; Jami Kassebaum, Nebraska Community Bloodbank; and Chance Klasek, JCH&L CFO. Photo and story by Nebraska Community Bloodbank.