Donors respond to call for ‘gift of life’ during drive
The blood drive, held in honor of Robert “Bobby” Gurley Sr., was a great success, according to Doris Scott, coordinator.
“We were pleased to see so many people volunteer,” she said. “They came despite the hot weather.”
Volunteers also referenced the support received from the Gurley family and the American Red Cross (ARC).
Prior to the drive, ARC officials encouraged blood and platelet donors to give during the drive and help ensure blood is available for patients all summer.
“Summer vacations and other activities that bring joy to so many can also lead to a shortage of blood and platelet donations when regular donors become busy,” said Donna M. Morrissey, director of national partnerships for the Red Cross Biomedical Services.
The Red Cross relies on volunteer donors for the 14,000 blood donations needed every day to support patients at about 2,600 hospitals and transfusion centers.
Bill Weaver, volunteer donor, said he has been giving blood or for a number of years. He was among those who gave during the recent Rockmart event. Other donors included: Dora Dryden, Denise Nicole Wein, Cassie Langston, Michael Hester, Toby Arlene Stroup, Harley Taylor Podskoc, Paul M. Bethea, Cynthia Kirk, Amy M. Coalson, Debbie Michelle Hamilton, Mary Corn Thwaite, Ann Wright, Cindy Lynn Vest, Ryan McElheney, Billy J. Brown, Jerry McDurmon, Donald B. Williams, Harvey D. Yates, Mark Blackburn, Eli Blackburn, Laura Robinson, Nicole Larine Stocks, Hanna A. Jariwala,
Dana White, Milan McMillan, Saconda M. Wheeler, Cathy P. Ogle, Gay Potham, Meka Benefield, Kimberly N. Chapman, Susan Waits, Teresa Johnson, Lynda Dave, Karen M. Barfield, Kenneth Fuller, Debra Helms, Teyanna Greyson Gurley, Robert K. Abernathy, Robert Gurley, Raven Wilkerson, Judy Kay McClure, Liz Graham, Deborah L. Kay, Kayla Smith, Martha McDurmon, Katie Weatherby,
Margaret L. Roper, Robert Wallace, Alton Delano Buzbee, Tommy J. Saxton, Jeremy Russell, Shirley Ingle, Daniel Charles Johnson, Jo Ann Robbins, Tina K. Morgan, Jessica M. Barber, Peggy A. Watts, George Trudy Cox, Chad Thompson, Hollie B. Smith, Cynthia A. Ivy, Ashley Nicole Royer, Abby K. Arnold, Jonathan Torline and Shane Elrod.
Volunteers were Doris Scott, Shirley Ingle, Darlene Smith, Audrey Williams, Liz Graham and Martha McDurmon.