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American Red Cross seeks donations at local library
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Alex Oris (left) and Sam Dolak (right) waited to give blood to the American Red Cross at Austintown library.
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Rich Bee (right) brought flowers for his wife, Mary Ann Bee (left), who was working the blood drive on March 17 at the Austintown library.
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Mary Ann Bee (left) tended to Sam Dolak (right) at the blood drive on March 17.
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Pictured, clockwise from left, are Andrea Gotschall, Lori Dobough and Michelle Stuart at the Austintown library for the blood drive on March 17.
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Red Cross volunteer Carmela Lemme (left) and Cassie Sorber (right), daughter of one of the donors, sat at the snack table and read Dr. Seuss during the blood drive.
By amanda tonoli
The Austintown library offered a very busy blood drive for the American Red Cross Association on March 17.
Michelle Stuart said she donates every 56 days, the minimum requirement allowed between donations.
“I started as a teenager — I knew someone that had cancer,” Stuart said. “I think it’s really important.”
Sam Dolak another participant in the blood drive also actively donates.
“Just a half hour out of my life saves up to three lives,” Dolak said.
Christine Locke, another donor, said despite trying to go every six weeks, sometimes vacations outside the country deter her, but she donates when she is able to.
Pat Macres started donating since her father got sick, attempting to help out in any way that she could. Macres came from work so she didn’t miss the chance to donate to the Red Cross.
The event extends beyond just donating, it is a chance to be a part of something bigger and a part of people’s lives.
Carmela Lemme, a Red Cross volunteer, served snacks to those that have completed their donation.
“I love talking to and meeting people and learning different things from all over the world,” Lemme said.
Cassie Sorber, a daughter of one of the donors, couldn’t donate blood, but instead is currently growing her hair for donation — her way of helping out.
“I want to go to school to be a chemical engineer,” Sorber said. “I want to find the cure for cancer.”