O’Neill Community Blood Drive: Celebrating the Volunteers and Donors Who Show Up
Some people don’t just talk about making a difference – they show up and do it. This April, as we celebrate National Volunteer Month, the O’Neill community gave us every reason to cheer. At the most recent O’Neill Community Blood Drive, 34 units of blood were collected from 30 generous donors – enough to help up to 102 patients in local hospitals. One first-time donor, Erika Shannen Gabud, also joined the LifeServe Blood Center family, proving that it only takes one person deciding to say yes to start something meaningful.
Volunteers and Donors: The Heart of It All
April is the ideal time to recognize the people who quietly make lifesaving possible. Behind every blood drive is a chairperson who organized it, a volunteer who welcomed donors at the door, and a donor who rolled up their sleeve without hesitation. Less than 3% of the population donates blood – and even fewer step up to organize and recruit. The O’Neill community has no shortage of those people, and patients in local hospitals are better off because of it. Each unit collected supports heart surgeries, emergency procedures, trauma care, and ongoing treatments happening right here, close to home.
Honoring Our Milestone Donors
Some donors don’t just give once – they keep coming back, drive after drive, year after year. This April we take extra time to recognize those whose sustained commitment has built a reliable, life-sustaining blood supply for local hospitals. Your loyalty isn’t taken for granted – it is the backbone of this community’s lifesaving work, and we are grateful.
| 02 GALLONEER | LINDA | SCHAAF |
| 02 GALLONEER | HEATH | WILSON |
| 06 GALLONEER | LORI | KACZOR |
| 08 GALLONEER | WILLIAM | WORKMAN |
Thank You to Our Drive Hosts
None of this happens without the people willing to open their doors. LifeServe Blood Center extends its deepest thanks to Valerie Wecker, the team at Avera St. Anthony’s and Knights of Columbus of O’Neill for hosting this drive and making it possible. Volunteering your space and your time is an act of community leadership – and your continued partnership ensures that lifesaving blood stays local and available when patients need it most.
Be Part of What Comes Next
LifeServe is actively seeking volunteers to help recruit donors, raise awareness, and make every donor feel welcomed and appreciated. If you’ve ever thought about getting involved, this is your month. It takes a community to save a community. To get involved, contact Kim Jensen Dietrich at kim.jensendietrich@lifeservebloodcenter.org or 712.212.5016.
Join Us – Save Lives at the Next Blood Drive
The next O’Neill Community Blood Drive will be held:
- Date: Thursday, June 25
- Location: O’Neill Knights of Columbus
- Time: 12:30 PM – 6:00 PM
To schedule an appointment, visit www.lifeservebloodcenter.org or call 800.287.4903.
