FORT LORAMIE — During a summer of low blood supply and an August of emergency alert need, Fort Loramie gave Solvita a wave of support at the Aug. 20 St. Michael’s Hall blood drive.
The blood drive totaled 252 donors, including 232 whole blood donors, 223 whole blood donations, and 20 platelet and plasma donors. St. Michael’s hosts six blood drives a year, and the first four bloods drives of 2024 have been on a torrid pace, now totaling 1,086 donors.
Solvita began the day with a critical shortage of type O blood and low supply of all other major blood types. Hospital emergency usage has spiked while collections have struggled. Aug. 20 was a windfall day with 390 donors and St. Michael’s accounted for 65% of all mobile blood drive collections.
“We always hope for 225 and we’ve had 255 the last two drives,” said Jane Poeppelman who coordinates the blood drive and gets sponsorship and volunteer help from the Fort Loramie American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, the Fort Loramie Community Service Club, St. Michael’s Church, and the St. Michael’s Knights of St. John.
The St. Michael’s 2024 surge began in February with the blood drive in support of burn patient Kevin Pleiman that totaled 329 donors. Kevin was severely injured a week before Christmas and underwent multiple blood transfusions and skin graft surgeries.
Kevin’s wife Shelly has chronicled Kevin’s recovery on social media and uses the KT Prayerline page to encourage support for St. Michael’s blood drives.
“If you have been following the news, you will know there is an emergency blood shortage declared,” Shelly posted prior to the blood drive. “This could mean loss of life and is so darn preventable. Please consider helping someone that needs it desperately and fill the seats like the day you came out for Kevin!”
“The Pleiman family still comes through for us,” said Jane. “They reach so many people with their KT Prayerline. I think our numbers went up.”
St. Michael’s Hall hosts six Solvita blood drive per year. Donors represent multi-generations and come from across Shelby County.
“I try to do it regularly,” said Beth King, who lives in Botkins, commonly donates in Jackson Center and made her 153rd lifetime donation at St. Michael’s. “I go wherever and whenever I can fit it in.”
Shelby County ranks second in Solvita’s 18-county region in number of donors and donations with more than double the national average. “We really try to push first time donors,” said Jane.
Taylor Geise came from Sidney to donate. She started donating at Lehman Catholic High School where she earned a Solvita Red Cord after making six donations before graduating last spring.
“I started my sophomore year and I’ve been doing it ever since,” said Taylor. “I love doing it.”
Schedule a blood donation with Solvita (formerly Community Blood Center) on the Donor Time app, by calling (937) 461-3220, or at www.donortime.com. Walk-ins are welcome at the Solvita Dayton Center, 349 S. Main St.
