Jim and Linda Parker, of Kansas, are truly an inspirational couple. This husband and wife team have traveled to several states donating blood and platelets in an effort to raise awareness about the need for blood. Their goal is to donate blood in each state. In early November, the Greater Alleghenies Region had the pleasure of meeting Jim and Linda when they visited our Johnstown Headquarters to give apheresis donations. After their visit the Parkers drafted the following letter:
"On November 4 – 6, we had the pleasure of visiting the Johnstown area and donating platelets at the Greater Alleghenies Region as part of our campaign to recruit more plateletapheresis donors to help patients with cancer, leukemia and other serious illnesses.
Johnstown marked the halfway point of a quest that’s already taken us more than 30,000 miles to donate platelets at American Red Cross Blood Services donor centers in 16 states. Everywhere we go we hear the same concern: there aren’t enough platelet donors to keep pace with increased patient need across our country.
We learned that the Region’s four apheresis donor centers in Altoona, Beaver, Greensburg and Johnstown draw individuals from several counties. Many of these donors give platelets as often as guidelines allow – up to 24 times in a 12-month period.
Despite such dedication, your local Red Cross routinely relies on donors in sister regions in Connecticut and Minnesota to meet patient need in its 100-county service area.
We urge individuals who are eligible to give blood and have donated at their church, school or workplace to consider donating platelets. The Johnstown donor site is open Mondays through Fridays, and appointments are available (appointments are required) from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Johnstown site is also open mornings two weekends each month.
For more information about platelet donation, please call 262-2647 or (800) 542-5663, x2647.
Thank you, Johnstown, for your warm welcome, and for sharing your good health with those in need.
Sincerely,
James L. Parker and Linda J. Parker
