The spirit of giving was alive at the American Red Cross Blood Drive hosted by Cochecton Volunteer Ambulance in Lake Huntington. Local residents of the Sullivan West community trickled in from 1-6 p.m. on Thursday, January 23, to donate their blood with the help of Red Cross medical personnel, who traveled from Johnson City, NY.  

Red Cross staff came equipped to facilitate two types of blood collection: whole blood donation and power red donation. Whole blood donation is the “direct deposit” of a donor’s blood, including red blood cells, platelets, and plasma. This is the most flexible form of blood donation because it can be transfused in its original form or used to help multiple people when later separated. Whole blood donation takes about an hour, utilizes all blood types, and can be done every 56 days and up to six times a year. 

Power red donation uses a centrifuge to separate red blood cells from the platelets and plasma; these components are then returned to the donor’s body, leaving a concentrated sample of red blood cells. This process takes about an hour and a half, but it maximizes the efficacy of a donation, and can be done every 112 days and up to three times a year. Red cells from a power red donation are administered to trauma patients, newborns, and people with sickle cell anemia.

Amira Chapman has worked for the Red Cross for two years and enjoys both the nature and variety of her work. She and her team travel from their headquarters to different locations everyday to facilitate blood drives within a two and a half hour radius. 

“I love it!” said Chapman, who was grateful for the assistance of Cochecton volunteers and also the support of donors. The toughest part of the job, Chapman said, are “the long hours,” which include a five-hour blood drive, travel and equipment setup.

Herb Sawall, a Lake Huntington Fire Department volunteer since 1983, courteously operated the check-in desk by welcoming donors and gathering their identification. Jim Mosher, a ten-time blood donor, said he had soup for lunch and that [the Red Cross] recommends that you drink plenty of water before donating. Mosher, who has undergone both whole blood and power red collection methods, said that he has never felt ill or light-headed afterwards. 

Steve Mariski, another donor, makes it a priority to donate blood “now that I’m retired.” Mariski, who has type O Blood making him a universal donor, ironically stated that he didn’t have time to give blood when employed as a healthcare professional.

For more opportunities to donate blood, please contact the American Red Cross Association (607-785-7207, Southern Tier Chapter) and remember to drink plenty of water.