Iola Lioness Club works with Red Cross

By Betty Kuhr

Iola Lioness Club has sponsored and worked Red Cross blood drives since 1993.

There has been some student involvement in recent years, helping the Red Cross set up, working with, or running drives with the assistance of a Red Cross coordinator.

The American Red Cross has encouraged student involvement with the goal of lifelong participation in life saving by offering young people a chance to help.

Watching and assisting donors through the process can be a very positive and encouraging experience for young people. If the student is able to donate blood, it can be an even more valuable experience.

This year, Iola-Scandinavia student Hana Buttles has helped the Iola Lioness Club with the blood drives. She volunteered and participated in every phase of a spring drive, from publicity to providing TLC to donors.

Buttles took on total responsibility for a drive in summer, and helped again at the Sept. 29 blood drive.

“When I was first offered the opportunity to help with the Lioness blood drive, I was excited to help the community in a new way,” she said. “Through my volunteering, I have learned so much about how these drives impact numerous lives. I am so grateful for this opportunity to help my community.”

Since 1993, the Iola Lioness Club’s Red Cross blood drives have yielded 1,694 units, helping up to 5082 people.

The Sept. 29 drive yielded 32 units, potentially helping 96 people.

“One donation has the potential to save three lives, and seeing members of the community donating makes me grateful that we can come together and do so much good,” Buttles said. “I hope that one day we will have all possible donors giving so we no longer have to worry about blood scarcity.”