Photo Caption: Gary Metarko of Wellsboro was all smiles as he gave blood on Monday, April 5 to support Soldiers + Sailors Memorial Hospital's community blood drive. Metarko was the first donor of the day and was one of twenty-five donors who received a free round of April golf from Tyoga Country Club in Wellsboro.
WELLSBORO, PA—A total of thirty-eight people signed up to donate on Monday, April 5 at Soldiers + Sailors Memorial Hospital’s community blood drive in Wellsboro. Tyoga Country Club generously donated 25 free rounds of golf, to be played at the course in April, to the first 25 blood donors. The donation slots were filled on a first come, first serve basis.
Gary Metarko of Wellsboro was all smiles as he gave blood to the community blood drive. Metarko was the first donor of the day and was one of twenty-five donors who received a free round of April golf from Tyoga Country Club in Wellsboro.
“I’ve always wanted to donate,” says Metarko, “but the specific reason I’m donating today is because a friend of mine is in need of a kidney, and I wanted to find out if I’m the right type.” Of being the first donor, Metarko says that was just luck. “I thought the blood drive started earlier, so I showed up before noon and found out about the free golf when I arrived!” he laughs. “I’m a golfer, so it was a nice surprise. It’s a great way to say thank you to donors.”
After donating, participants were urged to sit for 10 minutes and replenish their bodies' reserves by partaking of the sandwiches, fruit, cookies, juice, and other forms of sustenance provided by the hospital's nutrition services department.
These locally run blood drives help the hospital meet community blood supply needs. Future drives will be held the first Monday of each month at Soldiers + Sailors Memorial Hospital. The drives alternate between focusing on Laurel Health System employees and the community; however, members of either group may donate at any of the drives, as long as it has been at least 56 days since their last donation.
Donors must be 17 years of age (16 with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in good general health, meaning no colds or flu. Donors should eat a good, solid meal prior to donating, must wait 56 days between donations, and must wait one year after getting tattoos or piercings. Certain medications or recent travel destinations may also determine whether or not you can give blood.
The next drive will be focused on employees and will be held on Monday, May 3 in the Soldiers + Sailors Memorial Hospital Board Room from noon to 5 p.m. Remember, both employees and community members can donate at the drive as long as it has been 56 days since their last donation.
For more information or to schedule an appointment to give blood, contact the Hospital’s Laboratory Services at (570) 723-0131 or gdoran@laurelhs.org. For more information on the CBB, call (570) 537-6291.