By Scott Graham | BRN 23945 | ACI Blood Drive Committee Chair
THANK YOU to everyone who either donated blood, encouraged someone to donate blood, or volunteered to help at the ACI Blood Drive in York. What an incredible event; in just a little over two days, 180 people signed up and collected 132 units of blood for the local community. This total is what we collected in both Sedalia and Rock Springs over three days each.
Rick Pope, Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank Donor Resource Consultant for York and Adams counties, shared how impressed he and his team were with our turnout and commitment to giving back. He said each unit of blood averages about $400 and can save up to three lives. This translates to about $52,000 in blood bank value contribution and a potential impact for nearly 400 patients in need.
ACI began hosting a blood drive at the 2022 International Rally in Maine. Each year, the drive grows and now includes Region Rally blood drives. To date, Airstreamers collectively have given more than 600 units of blood to the local communities in which we rally. We choose to work with local agencies to make a direct impact in those areas. While some donations are sent elsewhere, due to blood type rarity or disaster relief, almost all it is distributed to local hospitals. Airstreamers are also noted for their commitment to giving, with less than 5 percent of members missing appointments. Nearly 100 percent of available appointments are filled at rallies.
So, where to next? We are off to Minot, North Dakota for the 69th International Rally, where Vitalant will serve as our collection agency in 2026. We are targeting three full days of donations and hope to raise the bar with over 150 units collected and more than 200 sign-ups.
What can you do?
Plan to donate in Minot if you can, and encourage your friends to do the same. Sign up early to schedule an appointment at your convenience. Notably, while less than 10 percent of those attending Airstream Rallies try to donate blood, we know there are more who are eligible. Many say they give at home through their local agencies, which is great, but you can still donate to both if you allow a six-week gap between donating to stay eligible.
Airstreamers and our Club are known for giving back and giving local. Whether through pop-can tabs, the Airstream Foundation, local events, or donating blood. Donating blood typically takes less than 40 minutes, does not cost a penny, and you get something back — a snack, a T-shirt, or the feeling that you might save a life. Donors often hear from local agencies of the difference their donation made or where it was sent and how it was used.
If your Region would like to host a drive during a Region Rally or other gathering, please don’t wait to ask and organize. Organizing a drive is easy, and collection agencies provide nearly all the tools necessary to run a successful drive. Region 9 stepped up to host the ACI Blood Drive and also hosts one during its Spring rallies. You and your club or region can do the same. If you need help, or want some ideas, please contact Scott Graham, ACI Blood Drive Committee Chair at 210-347-8760 or email me at graham23945@gmail.com. If you do choose to host your own blood drive, drop me a note and let me know how you did so we can keep track of the impact Airstreams are making.
