Blood Drive for Bobby

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Heritage Memorial Church, in cooperation with the American Red Cross, will hold a blood donation drive on Monday, July 27 from 2-8 p.m. This special blood drive is in honor of Robert Seymour, a faithful part of HMC’s lay-pastoral staff.

Robert “Bobby” was in a head-on collision on Sunday, May 3 on State Route 22 that nearly killed him. Now more than nine weeks later, Bobby is finally nearing home. Following five weeks in Grant Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit in Columbus, he was moved for a two-week stay in Select Specialty Hospital, also in Columbus, for trauma rehabilitation.

In a most miraculous response to treatment, Mr. Seymour was recently transferred to a local nursing care facility where he is undergoing further rehabilitation for multiple broken bones, including both femurs, and continues to make amazing progress in healing despite the need for future corrective surgeries. Without a doubt the Seymour family believes that the amazing power of prayer to God Almighty proved to be the key to this miracle. Bobby’s church family, and the many friends and acquaintances he already had throughout the community, have all been constant in prayer and encouraging his family through the many days of progress and regress. Many doctors and nurses who saw Bobby when he was first admitted that fateful May afternoon now express amazement at his recovery from a near death experience.

Notably, during those first few crucial weeks of emergency trauma care, almost 60 units of blood were used to keep Bobby alive. That gift of life measured in gallons was certainly made possible by blood donors in past days. In an effort to honor Bobby’s contributions to the church ministry, his love of Christ, and to replenish the gift of lifeblood that was used in his treatment, Heritage asks for anyone who is able to give blood to sign up for a time to donate either Whole Blood, or Double Red Cells.

The American Red Cross provides the following guidelines for potential blood donors:

WHOLE BLOOD DONORS (the normal pint unit whole blood donation)

Be in good health and feeling well the day of the blood drive. Some people with chronic conditions, such as diabetes can still donate if they are being treated and the condition is under control. Call 1-800-RED CROSS for more information.

Be at least 17 years old. (Younger donors are welcome with additional specified requirements, including a signed parent’s consent. The form is available online or at the church office. )

Weigh at least 110 pounds. (additional weight requirements apply for donors younger than 19-years-old)

If you are a “big” tea drinker, it is recommended that you cut back on tea, and drink more water, or increase your iron intake with iron tablets or dietary supplements by the week before the event. This is because tea can give a false reading of iron levels in your blood.

DOUBLE RED CELL DONORS (Specific only the red blood cell components collected through a machinated process called “Apheresis”)

There are specific time slots for these specialized donations of blood types “O”, “A-“ and “B-“. This process will take about 30 minutes longer than the whole blood donor, and will collect two units of red blood cells while returning platelets and plasma back into the donor.

Be healthy and feeling well.

Be at least 17 years old.

Men: be at least 5’1” in height and weight at least 130 pounds.

Women: be at least 5’5” in height, and weigh at least 150 pounds.

Other aspects of each potential donor’s health history are discussed as part of the donation process before any blood is collected. This will be include a brief examination during which temperature, pulse, blood pressure, and hemoglobin (or hematocrit) are measured.

Call the church office at 740-335-1079 between 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday to schedule an appointment for this special blood drive on Monday, July 27 at 1867 Old State Route 35 on the northwest side of Washington Court House. See www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/types-donations for more information on donating this precious gift of life.

The family of Bobby Seymour and Heritage Memorial Church thank you!

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By Sylvia Cloud

Heritage Memorial Church

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