Date: Fri 29-May-1998

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

blood-drive-Goebel

Full Text:

Critical Need Blood Drive Set For June 1

(with cut)

BY KAAREN VALENTA

Every two seconds, someone needs a blood transfusion. Yet fewer than five

percent of the people who are able to give blood actually do so, and most of

them give blood only once a year.

Fred Goebel Jr is an exception. The Newtown resident recently was inducted

into the American Red Cross Hall of Fame for having donated 10 gallons of

blood, most of it at blood drives every three months at Eaton Corporation in

Danbury where he works.

"It's not a big deal -- giving blood is a very easy thing to do," he said.

Mr Goebel did not want any recognition so he did not attend the induction

ceremonies at the American Red Cross's 17th annual Ten-Gallon Blood Donor

Dinner on May 12. But he agreed to help publicize the critical need blood

drive that will be held on Monday, June 1, at the Western Connecticut Federal

Credit Union, 30 Church Hill Road, from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.

"Many people don't realize how important it is to give blood," he said. "Some

are under the misconception that you can get AIDS from donating blood."

A new sterile needle is used when blood is drawn. The needle is discarded

afterwards. There is no possibility of contracting any disease by donating

blood.

Every blood donation made can help as many as three different patients because

each unit of blood is separated into three components. Red blood cells, which

last up to seven weeks under refrigeration, are used for surgery patients.

Cancer patients or bone marrow transplant recipients recieve platelets to

prevent hemorrhaging. These fragile cell fragments last for only five days,

and patients need platelets from as many as six to 10 donors for every

transfusion.

Patients suffering burns, shock or dehydration need blood plasma. Plasma also

can be transformed into a variety of products to combat shock, fight

infection, or replace clotting factors for patients with hemophilia. A single

transfusion for a patient with hemophilia can require literally hundreds of

volunteer blood donors.

Last year Western Connecticut Federal Credit Union sponsored what turned out

to be the second largest blood drive in the state. That drive, at Edmond Town

Hall, was dedicated to a Sandy Hook infant, Summer Ghent.

"The credit union is nonprofit and community-oriented," said Edward O'Malley,

president and chief executive officer. "It has a community responsibility, a

social responsibility. We felt the blood drive is a very worthwhile cause."

Mr O'Malley said Western Connecticut Federal is the credit union for Danbury

Hospital and New Milford Hospital as well as the town of Newtown and, as such,

has a link to helping with the medical needs of the community. The hospitals

purchase all blood from the Red Cross, he said.

In addition to contributing $25 to new and existing credit union accounts for

each blood donor, the credit union also will donate $5 per donor to the Cairns

Iris Fund, a fund-raising effort to raise $25,000 to purchase a Cairns Iris

device, an infrared sensor which allows firefighters to "see" through smoke

and locate fire victims. The device will be carried at all times on the Sandy

Hook Volunteer Fire Company's new rescue truck which responds to all confirmed

fire calls in Newtown.

"Donors can't get paid by the Red Cross to donate blood so this is our way of

doing it," Mr O'Malley said. "At last year's blood drive some of the donors

told us to put the $25 toward the fund-raising effort."

"One thing I've learned since becoming involved with the blood drives is that

the type of people who give just want to do it with no reward."

Blood donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be

healthy. They can safely donate blood every 56 days -- as many as six times a

year.

To make an appointment for Monday's blood drive, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or

426-5056 Ext 101. Walk-ins also will be accommodated.

The American Red Cross will bring its Save-A-Life bus to the credit union

parking lot for the day. Bagelman, next door, will contribute to the blood

drive canteen.