AAMC Bloodmobile Program makes it easy

AT RIGHT: Renate Reed, a donor technician with AAMC, prepares Kelly Mahr for the blood donation process. The donation phase takes around 15 minutes.

There are many important lessons to be learned in school. But organizers of the Spooktacular Halloween Blood Drive at the School of the Incarnation in Gambrills hope everyone will learn just one lesson from their event: the importance of donating blood.
Maureen DeMar initiated the effort, and nearly 40 people turned out.
Maureen’s impetus was a strong desire to do "something to help" after the daughter of a good friend was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She coupled that with a strong belief in giving back to the community.
When she found out that Anne Arundel Medical Center had started a Bloodmobile Program in July, the choice was obvious, she says.
The important thing about donating to the AAMC Bloodmobile Program, according to Selma Otto, mobile coordinator, is that "One hundred percent of the blood that we collect comes back to the community through AAMC. ... It comes right back to our shelves and serves our patients. You are literally helping your friends and neighbors."
SOTI Assistant Principal Emily Mehler donated blood for the first time at the drive. She said her oldest daughter gives blood, and she felt this was a wonderful opportunity to help out such a worthy cause and follow her daughter’s good example. She had shied away from donating in the past because of a general dislike of needles, she said, but with the convenience of the bloodmobile coming to the school, she thought she’d give it a try.
Mrs. Mehler said she really felt good about what she did, and was impressed by the whole process. "I’d consider doing it again," she said with a smile.
Christie Thibeault, who helped Maureen with the drive, said she’s never liked needles either. But the convenience of donating at her son’s school convinced her, "I can suffer a little bit to help other people."
Selma says that’s her goal with the bloodmobile: great customer service and community satisfaction. "We really try to establish a relationship with the community, because the community has been so generous with us" at the Blood Donor Center at the Wayson Pavilion. With the addition of the mobile unit, AAMC is trying "to give people the convenience and the power" to help others through blood donation. "It really helps give people a sense of community and community service. It is so very important. Donors should be very proud of themselves."
She said a blood drive really works to bring a community together. She cited the School of the Incarnation’s drive as an example: "The outpouring by parents and teachers has been unbelievable."
Even though the students themselves couldn’t donate blood, seeing their parents take part can deliver a valuable lesson, Maureen says.
Jennifer Samuels is a second-grade teacher at the school. When she heard about the blood drive, she says it was a natural thing for her to sign up. "When I was a kid, my parents donated blood all the time. I just thought that’s what people did."
Because of her parents’ influence, she has been a regular blood donor since reaching the age requirement.
SOTI hopes to bring the AAMC bloodmobile back annually as part of the school’s Family Fun Day in the fall. And Maureen hopes that other schools, churches and groups will organize their own drives. "Think of the convenience. It is just so easy to help save a life."