Life blood
Red Cross of the Greater Alleghenies celebrates 60 yearsBy Kristy MacKaben, For the Mirror
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Fact Box
A LOOK BACK IN TIME
Timeline of events for The Greater Alleghenies Region of the American Red Cross:
-- June 15, 1949: The Johnstown chapter was dedicated as a regional Red Cross blood center.
-- 1950-53: During the Korean War, the Johnstown Region supplied 35,500 pints of blood to the U.S. Armed Forces
-- July 1, 1964: The Johnstown Region converted from use of glass bottles to plastic collection equipment.
-- 1972: The Johnstown Region and Keystone Chapter began construction of their new headquarters in downtown Johnstown and dedicated the facility in 1974.
-- July 20, 1977: Early in the morning, the Johnstown Region's blood supply was taken to Galliker's Dairy for refrigeration as a major flood resulted in the shut off of all electricity and natural gas service at the regional headquarters. All blood products were saved except for frozen red cells.
-- November 1983: The Johnstown Region co-sponsored the first Great Pitt-Penn State Blood Donor Challenge.
-- November 10, 1985: The Johnstown Region began construction on a $1.4 million project to renovate its downtown headquarters.
-- Fall 1994: The Johnstown Region began to collect "split" or double plateletapheresis products from individuals meeting criteria.
-- Aug. 12, 2003: The Great Alleghenies Region broke ground for a new $22.9 million headquarters along Jari Drive in Johnstown.
-- January 2004: The Greater Alleghenies Region began collecting double red cell donations using Haemonetics technology.
-- July 1, 2005: The Greater Alleghenies Region began collecting blood from 16-year-olds with parental consent.
-- Aug. 23, 2005: The Greater Alleghenies Region dedicated its new headquarters.
-- December 2007: The Greater Alleghenies Region began to collect triple plateletapheresis from individuals meeting eligibility criteria.
Derrick Reese of Port Matilda spent the summer before his junior year in high school enjoying the wilderness with his grandparents out west. When he returned home from the carefree vacation, his life changed forever.
The then-16-year-old began complaining of leg pain.
"The first day of golf practice, he called his dad and said, 'Come get me.' We were like, 'Suck it up. You have to show the golf coach you're out to play,'" said Derrick's mother, Michelle Reese.
When the leg pain persisted, however, the Reeses took Derrick to a pediatrician. But they weren't prepared for the diagnosis: osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer.
"It's breathtaking, very breathtaking. We were quite shocked," Michelle Reese said.
The weeks and months that followed were a whirlwind of treatments and surgeries. He underwent chemotherapy, and doctors removed the tumor from his femur and replaced the section of his femur with a titanium rod.
Derrick, who is in remission, also underwent three lifesaving blood transfusions.
To encourage people to donate blood, Derrick's family organized several blood drives in his honor and are grateful for the American Red Cross.
"If that blood wouldn't have been there, who knows what could have happened," Michelle Reese said.
Derrick Reese is one of many lives that have been saved by the Greater Alleghenies Region of the American Red Cross Blood Services during the past 60 years.
The Red Cross Blood Services is celebrating its 60th anniversary today and is encouraging people to give blood. The nonprofit has grown from a six-county charter in 1949 to 100 counties.
"We've just had phenomenal growth in the last 60 years," Marianne Spampinato, regional communications manager for the Greater Alleghenies Region of the American Red Cross Blood Services said.
The Red Cross has evolved in other ways too. When the Red Cross first began collecting blood, the blood was stored in glass bottles. In 1964, the Red Cross evolved to plastic collection equipment, which would enable the use of blood component therapy, meaning whole blood could then be divided into parts and used in different ways.
The move to computers also has helped speed the blood donation process and keep accurate records. Donors can now answer questions on computer screens instead of answering verbally.
Giving blood also is safer than it was 60 years ago. Until the 1980s, blood donors were not screened for HIV or hepatitis. Today, every blood donation is screened.
"Whether the donor's given blood one time or 500 times, their donation is screened. You never know when someone has been exposed to something following the most recent donation. If someone has a confirmed positive test, they are notified they cannot donate again," Spampinato said. "Blood product safety has greatly increased in 60 years. "
Another big change has been the eligibility of donors. In 1949, donors had to be at least 18 years old and could not be older than 59. Today, 16-year-olds can donate with parental permission in Pennsylvania and there is no upper age limit.
Most diabetics also are able to donate, whereas 60 years ago they were not allowed.
"As long as you meet the health criteria and satisfactorily answer questions, there's nothing to prevent someone from donating," Spampinato said.
To celebrate all the accomplishments during the past 60 years, the Red Cross is encouraging people to donate blood and is giving away 30 $60 gift cards. Anyone who donates blood in June will be entered into the day's drawing for a gift card.
Anyone age 17 or older, weighing at least 110 pounds and in generally good health is eligible to donate blood. Donation appointments can be made by calling 800-GIVE LIFE.
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countrygirl
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06-15-09 6:33 PM
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It is so important to donate blood! There are many people who are not eligible to give, and yet so many people who are physically able to give do not. Please donate blood to help people like Derrick, or encourage others to give if you can not. The life you save may be your own or that of a loved one!
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KlausVR
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06-15-09 5:45 PM
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How inspiring. And then just the other day we read about young folks throwing their lives away on drugs. But, isn't that the way it always goes?
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RobFan530
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06-15-09 9:18 AM
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May God Bless you!
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CharlieVarrick
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06-15-09 7:43 AM
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May God continue to bless Derrick Reese more and more each day as his cancer goes into remission. Who amongst us has the right to complain about anything in life after reading this story. Good luck and God bless Derrick.
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