Greentown United Methodist Church celebrates 19 years of helping save lives with special Red Cross blood drive

More blood donations needed in wake of Hurricane Florence

GREENTOWN, Ind. (Sept. 27, 2018) — The Greentown United Methodist Church is celebrating 19 years of helping save lives with a special anniversary American Red Cross blood drive, Monday, Oct. 15 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Greentown, coordianted by long-time volunteers, Jim and Ginny Jones.

Retired Greentown farmer Jim Jones is known for his fun-loving and ornery personality. In 1998 he was diagnosed with alpha one anti trypsan deficiency, an inherited condition that raises your risk of lung and liver disease. He received 83 units of blood during a liver transplant in 1999. That experience led Jim and his wife Ginny to find a way to give back through hosting Red Cross blood drives.

Over the next 19 years, Jim and Ginny helped coordinate more than 100 Red Cross blood drives at their church, which resulted in approximately 9,200 blood products for hospital patients in need. 

“Jim feels very fortunate to still be here and we both just want to help make sure blood is available to others in need,” said Ginny. 

Jim and Ginny have had a consistent blood drive partner from their very first drive in 2000.  Blondies Cookies, headquartered in Greentown, has donated cookies for every blood drive the couple has coordinated. Over the 19 years, Blondies has given about 7,500 cookies as thank you gifts to the blood donors at First United Methodist Church. 

“Blondies has been a wonderful partner,” said Jim. “It makes it easier to recruit blood donors when you tell them they can get some great cookies after their donation.”

“It’s amazing to think about a blood drive that has consistently been held for 19 years,” said Toni Fox, Red Cross recruitment account manager. “To think of the many lives that have been positively impacted because of Jim and Ginny, Blondies Cookies and the Greentown blood donors is amazing. It’s a generation of helping save lives right here in Greentown.”

The Red Cross is thankful for those who have given blood in Greentown over the years and hopes to see returning faces, as well as new faces, at this blood drive. “Whether you are a long-time donor or have never given before, everyone is invited to join us for this special 19th year celebration to help save lives,” said Fox. 

This blood drive comes as parts of the Southeast U.S. are being affected by Hurricane Florence, with more than 170 blood drives being cancelled, resulting in over 4,600 uncollected blood and platelet donations. The Red Cross encourages blood and platelet donations in parts of the country unaffected by the storm to help ensure a sufficient blood supply. Platelet and type O positive blood donations are critically needed right now. 

Every two seconds in the United States blood is needed to respond to patient emergencies, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease. The Red Cross must collect more than 13,000 blood and platelet donations every day for the patients at about 2,600 hospitals nationwide, including 80 hospitals in Indiana.

Blood Drive in honor of Jim and Ginny Jones

Monday, Oct. 15, 2018

1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

First United Methodist Church

127 S. Meridian St., Greentown, IN 46936

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood and platelet donors can save time at their next donation by using RapidPass^® to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, from a computer or mobile device. To get started and learn more, visit RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit RedCross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.