Newton resident Rose Shoestock went to Wal-Mart Saturday morning, but she didn't go to shop.
While shoppers streamed past the Red Cross bus eager to return unwanted gifts or take advantage of the post-Christmas sales, Shoestock was inside, sitting back with her feet up doing what she does every eight weeks — giving blood.
"I come out every 56 days on the dot," Shoestock said explaining that she considers donating blood her civic duty. Her father and brother were in the military and their devotion to duty has inspired her to do her part and give back to the community.
Benita Singleton, a nurse with the Red Cross, is grateful for regular donors like Shoestock, especially around the holidays, because blood supplies tend to run low during the Christmas season.
More people are traveling, busy or sick during this season, and, although the Red Cross would love to have as many donations as possible, people battling the flu, colds or even a sniffle are discouraged from donating, Singleton said.
In her eight years with the Red Cross, Singleton has seen a lot of first-time donors who were nervous about donating blood because they worried they might get woozy or pass out. They discovered, after donating for the first time, that it's really not such a big deal after all.
Singleton said the bus was in front of Wal-Mart for four 1/2 hours Saturday, and her goal for the day was to get 30 donations. She nearly made it. Twenty-eight people came out to donate Saturday. That's enough donations to save 84 lives.
"One donation can save at least three people," she said, and that's the whole reason the Red Cross holds blood drives.
More people tend to donate blood when the mobile unit sets up at shopping centers because they find it more convenient, Singleton said. As an added incentive during the holidays, everyone who donates blood will get a free T-shirt (while supplies last), in addition to the usual after-donation snack.
"Blood supplies are low right now," Benita said. "If people can come out and donate, it sure would help us out."
According to a Red Cross press release, there will be four more opportunities to donate blood before New Year's Day at blood drives in the area.
• Monday: Catawba Valley Living at Rock Barn, 4174 Shook Road, Claremont, from 2 to 6:30 p.m.
• Monday: Sandy Ridge Baptist Church, 3702 16th St., NE, from 2 to 6:30 p.m.
• Monday: Kmart, 508 10th St., NW, Conover, from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
• Tuesday: Hudson Volunteer Fire Department, 122 Mount Herman Road, Hudson, 2 to 6:30 p.m.
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