A new July record was set when a total of 195 units of blood were collected at the 12th and 13th drive sponsored by the Avera Hand County Hospital Auxiliary, which was held at Trinity Lutheran Church. On Thursday, 110 units were obtained from the 95 people who signed in. Sixty-four donated whole blood, 23 donated 2 red blood cells and eight were deferred. A new second day record was set on Friday when 85 units were secured from the 71 people who signed in. Forty-seven donated whole blood, 19 donated 2 RBCs and five were deferred.

There were 14 new and renewed donors. Ben Artman, Kori Blake, Dr. Ashley Coulter, Lisa Johnsen, Rev. Mark Johnsen, Lisa Jones, Allen Kellogg, Bill Lewellen, Jennifer Mason, Patrick Price, Brian Sieh, and Dr. Clayton Thorson were new donors. Jeremy Coss and Lexi Gimbel were first-time high school donors. Alan Ames. Cassie Beckett and Luke Simons were high school donors who received a T-shirt for donating the second time.

Those reaching the one-gallon donated mark were: Pete Ames, Wayne Ames, Laura Brueggeman, Dlorah Engelmann, Vonn Starks, Kim Tyrrell and Jeff Zacher; Chris Howard and Renae Wilson have donated two gallons; Bob Cremer and Arlen Gortmaker have reached the three-gallon level; Jeff Meyer and Joyce Meyer are at four gallons; Dave Phinney and Dave Wientjes have each donated five gallons; Barb Bouren has donated six gallons and Anita Fremark, who was instrumental in getting the blood drives started in this community, has donated nine gallons.

The registration table was staffed by Marilyn Johnson, JoDean Joy, Janice Manning, Charlotte Taylor, Lorraine Augspurger, Arlette Heitzman and Kay Fawcett. Ruth Roeber made reminder calls to those who had appointments. Doughnuts were made by JoDean Joy and Doris Lofton. Cookies were furnished by Phyllis Testerman, Verna Becker, Arlette Heitzman and MayLou Oakley. Completing the refreshment table are the napkins and cups furnished by American Bank and Trust and Quoin Financial Bank. Coss Agency and Shar Rhunke provided signage to remind donors of the drive. Jenise Krick prepared the area for the drive.

The most important part of the drive is the donors. Without donors a drive would not be possible and a big thank you goes to those who gave of their blood and their time to make these records possible. These donations will help hundreds of people as the blood is broken down into several components and three or more people are helped with each donation.

If you wonder if you could possibly donate at the next drive you can call United Blood Services in Mitchell at 800-996-3688 and find out if you would be eligible.