Editor, Times-Union: Ebola. ISIS. Ukraine. Huge and terrible headlines dominate the news outlets, but something small and wonderful happened in Warsaw this weekend. It’s a small and wonderful thing that actually happens quite a lot, which may be why it doesn’t get much attention. On Saturday, the Red Cross partnered with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in a Blood Drive and Emergency Preparedness Fair. Although it may not seem like a big deal, there are a lot of big reasons to celebrate this event. The Blood Drive and Emergency Preparedness Fair was not expected to draw a huge crowd; in fact, the Red Cross defined “wildly successful” as 18 donations. That was about all the small bloodmobile allotted to the event could handle with its four workers in the four-hour time slot. It turned out that “wildly successful” needed to be re-defined. Twenty-one volunteers swamped the mobile facility, forcing the workers to skip lunch to handle the crowd. Brian Nichols, a first time donor, said “The wait took longer than actually giving blood. I was really nervous, but it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. I’m glad I did it.” Curt Nisly, candidate for District 22 State Representative even showed up, reportedly giving his 55th donation. That’s almost 7 gallons of blood. Why is this important? Let’s set aside the wonderful spirit of community and sacrifice that filled that tiny bloodmobile on Saturday. Let’s focus instead on some real life and death information. One blood donation can save three lives. That’s a pretty big deal. Blood transfusions are needed in hospitals across the country daily. Did you know that part of the treatment for the Ebola virus is a blood transfusion? The 21 donations collected by the Red Cross on Saturday could save 63 lives. Sixty-three people who may see another sunrise because 21 selfless Hoosiers decided to take an hour on a Saturday afternoon to give blood. That’s a big outcome from a small and wonderful thing. Go to www.RedCrossBlood.org to find out how you can donate today. Thank you, Tressa Nichols Warsaw, via email
