Silent Heroes

United Blood Services held the annual Silent Heroes appreciation evening at Mesa’s Commemorative Air Force Museum on Friday April 9th. There were over 200 donors attending the event. Silent Heroes includes all the platelet donors in Arizona.

Scott Light of channel 12 news was the Master of Ceremonies for the evening. He introduced Lee Doerr, Congressional Medal of Honor winner. 86 year old Lee was just awarded the medal for her service in WWII as a Women Airforce Services Pilot (WASP) pilot. Lee spoke of her experiences delivering and relocating over ten types of aircraft during the war. Most of the planes were experimental. Our highly polarized congress unanimously voted to award the medals to the WASPS who served their country. This compliments veteran status granted to them over 30 years ago.

Scott also introduced Katie Clarke, who when a 3 week newlywed was diagnosed with leukemia. She is now a cancer survivor alive today as a result of platelet donations for her cancer treatment. Awards were presented to those who donated from 12 to 24 times during the past year. Over 5 million units of blood or it’s components have been given since United Blood Services started in 1943 as one of just three blood banks in the United States to collect blood for the War.

C’Ann Simpson and Jerry Germansen are regular platelet donors. They make the trip into Phoenix from Prescott, about an hour and a half, monthly. Jerry was awarded his first Gallon Pin in 2009 for a cumulative donation of over a gallon of the platelet component of blood. Platelets are collected through aphaeresis of the blood. Blood is extracted from the donor’s arm and sent through equipment that removes the platelets and return the remaining blood to the donor. The process takes about 3 hours using one arm all while resting in a chair watching a movie or reading. Both C’Ann and Jerry would love to see you join them and become a donor. They say that you get much more out of the experience than you give. It is the one thing that most people can give freely. Part of the processing and testing is analysis of your cholesterol level and taking your blood pressure. Some day you may need life saving platelets.

I experienced the need in my family about 15 years ago. I know the value of this donation from that time in my life. It is one thing that money can’t replace. Thank God that there were donors taking the time to keep a supply available for my wife during cancer treatment.

Untied Blood Services has blood banks throughout the Phoenix area to collect platelets. Whole blood can be donated throughout the State. Contact United Blood Services at 602-242-4697 and save someone’s life.