Granton Twins Hosting
Sweet
16 Blood Drive
2022
Abby and Caleb Schoessow of Granton are planning
a blood drive for their 16th birthday.
The drive will be March 28 at Zion
Lutheran Church in Granton.
Submitted
photo
The U.S. is facing a national blood crisis—the
worst blood shortage in over a decade, posing a concerning risk to patient care.
To help combat this life-threatening issue, Caleb and Abby Schoessow of Granton
are holding a Sweet 16 Blood Drive in honor of their birthday. It will be March
28 from 1-6 p.m. at Zion Lutheran (Missouri Synod) Church W2894 Granton Rd.,
Granton.
“There’s no better birthday gift than saving
someone’s life,” said Caleb and Abby.
The twins have a goal of collecting 32 units of
blood, which would help save almost 100 people’s lives. Caleb and Abby are
working with Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin, which is the sole supplier to
Marshfield Medical Center as well as more than 50 hospitals in Wisconsin.
Blood donation key facts
Platelets and plasma are used for a variety of
patients, including accident victims and surgical patients, leukemia and other
cancer patients, and in the treatment of patients suffering from burns or shock.
If you were told you couldn’t give blood because
of a chronic medical condition, many rules have changed. While all cases are
different, many medications don’t prevent individuals from donating. And as far
as people with chronic health conditions are concerned, they often can also
donate blood. Common diseases like diabetes, asthma and Lyme disease do not
exempt people from donating blood.
All types of blood are needed now, especially
types O positive and O negative, as well as platelet donations, to help reverse
the national blood crisis. At Caleb and Abby’s Sweet 16 Blood Drive you will
also have the chance to give a “double” batch of blood.
The minimal age limit for donating blood is 16
years of age (with parental consent) and there is no upper age limit. Caleb and
Abby would like to give a gift to the youngest donor and the oldest donor.
The personal impact of blood shortages
Caleb and Abby, sophomores at Granton High
School, have personal reasons for wanting to hold their Sweet 16 Blood Drive.
Several years ago, Caleb and Abby’s mother had breast cancer and went through
years of treatment. She needed a blood transfusion a few years ago.
“I saw the impact a blood transfusion made on my
mother’s life, and it helped bring her back home to us. I don’t want other kids
to go without a parent because they couldn’t get the blood they need to live and
thrive,” said Caleb.
Abby was interested in hosting the blood drive
for their Sweet 16 because she was born
with a rare disease and required several surgeries during her toddler years.
“My parents sometimes talk about my surgeries and
how extensive they were. I sometimes think of children and adults who
desperately need blood and I want to do everything I can to save someone’s
life,” Abby said.
Abby also wants to go into the medical field
after graduation-possibly anesthesiology or radiology – and who knows the
importance of having an adequate blood supply for patients in need.
Caleb and Abby hope that other teens across the
county take their idea of a Sweet 16 birthday and hold their own blood drive.
“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if other teenagers in
the county and state could duplicate this effort? Think about how many children
and adults could be impacted because of someone’s selfless act,” said Abby.
“There is nothing greater you can give someone
than the gift of life. To have people donating lifesaving blood is humanitarian
and essential,” Caleb said.
The blood drive will be a family affair. Caleb,
Abby and their parents all plan to donate blood to help meet their goal of 32
units. Afterwards, Caleb and Abby will help at the blood drive by passing out
drinks and cookies.
“We are trying to get cupcakes donated because it
would be great to share birthday cake with everyone,” Nathan, the twins’
10-year-old brother, even said.
Blood donation requirements
A blood donor card or driver’s license are
required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16
with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good
health may be eligible to donate. High school students and other donors 18 years
of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
Register to donate
Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments are
encouraged. To register for Caleb and Abby’s Sweet 16 Blood Drive, visit
bit.ly/SchoessowSweet16. If you can’t find a time slot that meets your needs,
contact Courtney Schoessow at
715-937-0856.
I would encourage people not to let fear get in
the way of them donating. Even if you’re scared, you can still try,’ said
Courtney Schoessow.
“For people who are thinking about giving blood,
if they needed it, they would want someone else to do it for them. So it’s
really important to do that and help someone in need,” said Caleb.
Clark County Press, Neillsville, WI
March 16, 2022
Transcribed by
Dolores
M. Kenyon, March 18, 2022.
Web page by
James W. Sternitzky PhD,
March 18, 2022.
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