Blood drive event helped people and animals

Medford and Whittlesey Lions Clubs visited Medford Schools last week to share information on the Wisconsin Lions Camp in Rosholt which is offered free for students and families. There are camps specially designed for those with diabetes, autism, intellectual, vision, hard of hearing, and epilepsy. Registration is free for individuals and families.

Here are links for more information: Camp website: https://www.wisconsinlionscamp. com/summer-camp/ Camp video: https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=1FfBzgVrObY

There was a two for one donation drive held March 7 at the Seidl Center at the Tayor County Humane Society in Medford.

Versiti of Wisconsin and Bryce Kelly, Thrivent Financial, partnered up with the Taylor County Humane Society to fulfill a dual mission of saving human and animal lives.

“As expected, the Medford community showed up, pulled up their sleeves, and donated their time and blood to impact the life of a stranger and a vulnerable animal,” said Erin Hennes, Territory Account Representative of Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin.

Hennes explained that when the event was planned, Kelly had generously offered to provide $20 per blood unit received during the blood drive toward the Taylor County Humane Society up to $1,000, but then decided to donate the maximum amount, regardless of units received.

“This was incredibly generous and will impact the lives of so many others, as the blood drive collected 20 units of blood, each of which will be separated into three lifesaving products, meaning that 60 patients will be impacted from this community event, and that is simply beautiful,” Hennes said.

“I would like to extend a giant thank you to Taylor County Humane Society, Bryce Kelly, Thrivent Financial and all our incredible donors for making this event a success. Donating blood is truly a lifesaving action as blood is not manufacturable or replicable and it relies on the generosity of the healthy to provide for those that are not. If you are able, please donate blood. You never know when you or someone you love may need it,” Hennes said.