The Superior Express -

The Red Cross Blood Mobile arrived in Nelson Friday morning. The weather started out fairly nice but by noon the snow came. Thankfully it didn't get much and most of it just blew away. Unfortunately several of the donors had to cancel because they weren't feeling well. Fifty-five units were collected which was just short of the goal of 58.

The Red Cross was pleased with the dedication of all of the donors. The Blood Bank is running low this time of year. Because of the weather and being cold and flu season other drives haven't been meeting their goals this winter.

Several donors reached their personal milestones at this drive. Chris Hansen is now a 12-gallon donor. Paula Kinkade has reached her five-gallon mark. Mike Buresh is now a three-gallon donor and Gwynne Mazour has reached her first gallon. Mary Drapal was a first timer.

Other donors were Curt Carver, Pamela Safago, Kasey Vaughn, Julie Worman, David Ochsner, Ramon Otero, Ken Himmelberg, Diane Gebers, Deb Troudt, Dale Endorf, Sandra Shaw, Samantha Haba ,; Maria Gamez, Ivalee Jacobitz, Kayla Sole, Kay Theer, Sally Uhrmacher, Kelly Scheuerman, Peggy Meyer, Cindy Hewitt, Joe Mazour, Tom Bargen,Brad Bargen, Haley Williams, Lisa Butler, Jaclyn Siebecker, Craig Cox, Jackie Mikkelsen, Beau Utecht, John Schutte, David Dahl, Marlin Meyer, Royce Gonzales, Trish Honeycutt, Lynn Culbertson, Mary Statz, Barry Melvin, Teresa Walton, Brenda Schott, Cindy Adamson, Kyle Golay, Donna Jensen, Tammy F. Thayer, Tanya Blackstone and Julie Ferebee.

It wouldn't be possible to have a successful drive without special volunteers. Carol Eckles and the Sacred Heart Altar Society served the lunch. Escorts keeping a 'watchful eye' on the donors were Mary Wheeland, Marcia Buresh, Pat Frahm and Donna Jensen. The city allowed the use of the auditorium. Joanie Schultz took time off from school to volunteer at the front table so Grandma Sally could donate.

All whole blood regular donors are eligible to donate again on Monday, March 9, when the Red Cross comes back to Nelson. To schedule an appointment, go on line at http://www.redcrossblood.org. Power Red Donors will be eligible on Wednesday, May 6, when the Red Cross is back in Nelson.