Blood Assurance will hold a blood drive from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, at the local Cleveland donor center in honor of Charlie St. Pierre, a local resident who tragically lost his leg on May 20, 2016.
"Charlie was working on an excavator when it engaged into drive-forcing nineteen thousand pounds of steel to rip his right leg completely off and crush his left ankle. The blood loss was enormous, and the injuries left him with little chance of survival. However, thanks to generous blood donors and the dedicated EMTs, surgeons and supporting staff stabilized Charlie and gave him a fighting chance," officials said.
"No day should be taken for granted, each day is a gift. Charlie was very well up to the fight. Behind the scenes, however, were the countless blood donors and their selfless gifts of whole blood in ample supply that provided the medical practitioners and Charlie the fighting chance we all prayed for," said the St. Pierre Family. "Life will never be the same for Charlie, but he and his beautiful wife will have a full and meaningful life together thanks to the blood donors. Charlie will walk again very soon and with pride and honor, celebrating the selfless people who thought enough of him, and human life in general, to give a pint of blood."
"The community is invited to participate in the blood drive on Nov. 4 and be a hero in Charlie's honor. Blood Assurance believes in the power of 'honor drives' that are often hosted by family members of a hospital patient who required blood donations due to a trauma situation or ongoing illness. The family may choose to invite relatives, friends, coworkers and community members who would be willing to make a blood donation in support of the patient. The blood drive may be held at any Blood Assurance donor center or on the organization's bloodmobile at a location agreed upon by the family and location owner," officials said.
"Every day, people require blood donations, and these donations cannot be artificially produced. They must be given by members of the community," said Mindy Quinn, marketing manager for Blood Assurance. "Whether it's a trauma victim, like Charlie, or a cancer patient, hospital patients rely on countless lifesaving blood products. Just one blood donation can save up to three lives."
The Cleveland Blood Assurance donor center is located at 201 Keith St. SW, Suite 19, in the Village Green Town Center. The center's regular business hours are Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
For questions about the blood drive, call 423-309-0288.
To be eligible to donate blood, donors must be at least 18 years old (17 and 16 years old with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids - avoiding caffeine - and eat a meal that is rich in iron prior to donating. For questions about donating blood, call 423-476-3201. For more information on Blood Assurance, donating blood or hosting a blood drive, visit www.bloodassurance.org.