Takes a Community to Save Lives

Community Contributed

By Maura Dolormente, Blood Bank of Hawaii

Summer is upon us and with that Blood Bank of Hawaii is entering the challenging season. With schools out and vacations on, donor turnout is traditionally low making it difficult to collect the 200 units of blood needed every day to meet Hawaii’s patient needs. That’s where Molokai has stepped in.

Molokai is hosting its first blood drive since 2009 (and its largest ever!) on June 12 at Home Pumehana Community Hall from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monsanto is leading the charge and striving to coordinate the more than 200 donors needed to sign up to meet the community need.

“Eighty percent of the state’s blood for that day will be coming from Molokai,” said Karin Knudsen, Blood Bank of Hawaii director of marketing and recruitment. “We can’t thank the businesses and blood donors coming together to save lives in a way that shows the aloha spirit in true Molokai fashion.”

Monsanto, Hale Mahaolu – Home Pumehana, Molokai Drugs, Kamo`i Snack n Go, Kaimomi, Molokai General Hospital, Alamo, Mycogen/Dow and Makani Kai Air have all partnered in different ways to support this effort and help save lives alongside volunteer blood donors.

“Many people do not realize how essential blood is; it is medicine for the body,” said Kimberly Svetin, president, Molokai Drugs, Inc. “We understand the patient need and welcomed the opportunity to do our part to help save lives. When our customers were coming in to pick up their prescriptions, we thought our pharmacy was the perfect place to encourage people to sign-up and to donate blood.”

To donate blood you must be in good health, be 18 years old (16-17 with signed parental consent) and have a photo ID with birthdate. The entire process takes about one hour with the actual drawing of the blood only takes five to eight minutes. Svetin also donated ice cream coupons from Kamo`i Snack n Go for people donating at the blood drive as a post-donation treat. Monsanto and Home Pumehana will also be providing refreshments for blood donors.

“The blood drive promises to be quite the event with a diversity of people coming together for a good cause,” said Knudsen. “It doesn’t cost anything but an hour of time. What better way to make a difference?”

“Anyone who flies with us knows that the people of Molokai are no ka oi with Makani Kai,” said Richard Schuman, president, Makani Kai Air. “We’ll do whatever we can to help the community.”

Blood Bank of Hawaii couldn’t agree more, Molokai no ka oi when it comes to saving lives!