Blood drive held at Custer Elementary School in Monroe

The Monroe News
Misty Grantham, 41, of Monroe donates a double unit of red blood cells for the first time during an American Red Cross blood drive at Custer Elementary School 1 Monday afternoon. A Power Red donation, as it is called, uses an automated process that separates red blood cells from other blood components, then safely returns the donor’s plasma and platelets back to them. Red blood cells are the most commonly transfused blood component, and therefore the most needed. Red cells carry oxygen throughout the body and help trauma and surgery patients, those undergoing organ transplants, women experiencing complications from childbirth and people with anemia. Grantham, 41, has A-positive blood and has donated regular, whole blood cells for the past 14 years. Assisting her is Ken Szych, a collection technician 1 for the Red Cross. Grantham brought along her daughter, Kara, 15, who will be eligible to donate when she turns 16. Grantham was one of 36 people who pre-registered to donate whole blood or red cells at the five-hour drive. Employed by Link Real Estate Co. in Monroe, she recalled receiving a blood transfusion before giving birth to her daughter.
Shawn Siddall of Monroe donates a pint of blood during an American Red Cross blood drive held Monday afternoon at Custer Elementary School 1 in Monroe. Siddall, 53, has donated about 70 pints since he was 21. He has O-positive blood and also has donated several Power Red units of red blood cells. Assisting him is Alisha Caffey, a phlebotomist for the Toledo Chapter of the Red Cross.

This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Blood drive held at Custer Elementary