Every Second Counts
The Gift of Blood Equals Life
Deidra Bowling-Meade
The Ashland Beacon
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“Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.” Right now, the American Red Cross is experiencing an emergency blood shortage as the nation faces the lowest number of people giving blood in 20 years. Imagine if you or a loved one cannot get blood.
This January we celebrate National Donor Month, which President Richard Nixon declared more than 50 years ago. Two Ashland locals, Beverly Carr and Eulas Hayes, shared their dedication and the importance of giving blood.
Carr started donating blood 43 years ago because she felt that it was good to do; however, she became more dedicated to the cause and scheduled regular appointments after her mother passed away. Carr shared, “Before my mom passed, in 2004, she was in the hospital, over and over, for years. She constantly had to get blood to keep her blood count up; even with that, it was barely possible for her to maintain a good level. When she did receive the blood, and her numbers improved, you could see new life in her eyes and in her strength. It was then I decided to become a blood donor; others donated their blood for my mom, even though they didn’t know her. I felt a bit of an obligation to pay back what had been done for her.”
Carr reached a milestone achievement this month and received her first pin from the American Red Cross for donating one gallon of blood. Carr commented, “When I received my milestone pin, I was glad to have helped those who received my blood and hope that I made a difference in someone’s life. You know, when you donate blood, you don’t personally know who will receive it. But, while you’re lying on the table for the collection, I think about whoever it is who will get my blood. I don’t know them, but God knows, and I pray for that person, and for whatever reason it is that they’re needing blood.”
Ninety year old Eulas Hayes has been donating blood for 63 years. He saw the need for blood after being in the service. When Hayes started working at ARMCO Steel, he became more involved with donating blood and working the blood drives sponsored by ARMCO Members Choice. Hayes stated, “I got to be good friends with Gene Gross who was the plant manager. He started the program about two years after World War II was over. Our program is 73 years old in November.” Hayes worked at ARMCO as a locomotive crane operator with 41 years of service. Even after retirement, Hayes still serves as the blood chairman for the ARMCO Members Choice Bloodmobile of Boyd County, which sponsors a blood drive held the first Friday of every month at Ashland’s Central Fire Station.
Hayes declared, “I’ve been obsessed with blood donation. I’ve gotten to know a lot of people through this program. The good Lord has been good to me.I stay in the background and surround myself with people who will donate. We all work together.”
Angie Fischer, who is Collection Manager for the American Red Cross, remarked on the success of their monthly blood drive, “It averages around 45 donors a month. I don’t ever remember Eulas missing a drive. He is always there, ready to go. All the ladies who work with him, they’re all as dedicated as Eulas. They know every donor and feed them. They take pride in their blood drive.”
In addition to working one of the area’s most successful blood drives, Hayes holds the record for top blood donor. With already 40 gallons given, Hayes is on track to donate his 41st gallon in March. Fischer commented, “It’s amazing how many lives he has saved with his blood donations. I’ve never given out a blood donation pin as high as with Eulas. I have to order his pin in advance and have it ready for him.”
According to the American Red Cross, you save three people’s lives when you give a unit of blood. Each unit equals one pint, and there are eight pints per gallon. That means Carr has saved at least 24 people’s lives! Carr makes a difference not only by giving blood but through her dedication to the cause. Hayes has saved over 960 lives with his blood donations and has no plans of stopping! Hayes jokingly credits his blood donating as the secret to looking so good at 90 years old.
The requirements for being a blood donor are minimal. You must be at least 17 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, and feel well without the use of antibiotics. Blood can be donated every 56 days and up to six times a year. There are times when your body might prevent your ability to give at the appointment. It’s important to never give up and keep trying.
Carr shared there are times she isn’t able to give due to her blood count being too low; however, she always keeps her donation appointment to see if she qualifies. Carr commented, “I take vitamins with iron and try to eat those foods that are thought to boost that blood count. It’s always a mystery whether or not I’ll qualify. When you make the effort to get out and get there, then maybe miss the target by just a tenth of a point, it’s very disappointing. I fight the thoughts in my head that tell me I should just stop trying. But, when you make it a priority, you just fight those thoughts, picture all those pints of blood that were donated for my mom, shake off the negative and continue the healthy lifestyle habits to get the numbers up for the next donation.”
Fischer encourages everyone to become blood donors. Fischer stated, “Blood donation is an easy way to save lives. It doesn’t take much time, maybe only an hour out of your day. It doesn’t cost anything. Blood needs to be on the shelf and ready when someone needs it. Unfortunately, we stay low on it because our donor base has been down. You gotta have a dedicated Eulas Hayes.”
The dedication to blood donation shown by Carr and Hayes is a remarkable example for others to follow. For more information on participating in local blood drives and the blood donation process, visit the American Red Cross online: redcrossblood.org. Appointments may be booked in advance by going to the website. Also, make plans to attend the monthly blood drive located at the Ashland Central Fire Station, 1021 Carter Ave. Make donating blood a priority. Every second counts.
