Anderson County Community Blood Drive March 28, 2011

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Lawrenceburg residents Frank and Pat Rowe have helped to save thousands of lives, and this month they are ready to save some more.

As chairpersons of the successful Anderson County Community Blood Drive that they coordinate for Kentucky Blood Center, the Rowes have welcomed more than 4,000 donors since they began their efforts almost 15 years ago. Because each donation can be broken down into three blood components, at least 12,000 patients have been touched by the Rowes’ labor of love.

On April 12 they will again host the Anderson County Community Blood Drive from 12:30 to 7 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Lawrenceburg. They hope to have at least 70 donors.

Although coordinating a blood drive can be a big job, the Rowes do it with enthusiasm and plenty of customer service.

They ensure a hot lunch is ready for the KBC staff to eat prior to the drive, and that sandwiches are available for donors. They also greet the donors and make them feel welcome.

“Some (donors) are scared to death,” Pat said. “They want reassurance. My job is to hold their hands.”

Frank said he handles the logistics, the promotion and coordination of the drive and “afterwards does the dishes.”

The drive is also a family affair. The Rowes have six children, 12 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren, and many of them not only volunteer at the blood drive but donate, too. Daughter-in-law Marlene Rowe is usually the first in line for the doubled red cell machine.

The blood drive is scheduled for every other month, which makes it convenient for donors to give blood often. Whole blood donors must wait 56 days between donations, and double red cell donors are deferred for 112.  

No appointments are necessary for the blood drive. Donors must be at least 17 years old (or 16 with parental permission), weigh at least 110 pounds, be in general good health and present a photo I.D.

KBC, the largest FDA licensed blood bank headquartered in Kentucky, is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ensuring a safe, adequate blood supply for patients at nearly 70 Kentucky hospitals and clinics in more than 60 counties. KBC relies on volunteers to collect 400 pints of blood per day to meet area patients’ needs. Over the last year KBC distributed nearly 130,000 blood components. Visit KBC at kybloodcenter.org, like KBC on Facebook at facebook.com/kybloodcenter and follow KBC on Twitter at twitter.com/kybloodcenter.