LIFELINE Blood Services hosted its Annual Apheresis Donor Luncheon at the Carl Grant Events Center, Thursday.

Held on the campus of Union University, the meeting was held to acknowledge the extra efforts and dedication of this unique group.

The term Apheresis, means “to separate from the whole.”

When a blood donor gives an Apheresis donation, they give one part of their blood, usually platelets or plasma, and the rest of their blood is returned to them.

Because of the complexity of this donation, Apheresis takes approximately 45 minutes to two hours.

The blood products collected through Apheresis are more concentrated and can be used to more effectively treat certain medical conditions that include cancer, organ transplants and immune disorders.

Donors invited to the annual luncheon had to have given three or more Apheresis donations within the calendar year.

Donors and their guests enjoyed delicious food, fellowship, a message from transplant recipient, William Forsythe, door prizes and holiday fun.

The highlight of each annual gathering of Apheresis donors is the presentation of LIFELINE Blood Services jackets – some pictured in the photograph.

To earn a jacket, the donor must donate 10 gallons of Apheresis platelet or plasma products – which comes to 80 units.

This is quite an admirable accomplishment which 12 donors earned this year: John Russ Allison, Eva Atnipp, Kenneth Brown, Scott Conger, William Doyle, Gerald Ferguson, Benton James, Bettye Loflin, Patricia McBride, Tina McCown, Mona Miller and Joseph Wooten.

(PHOTO: Donors, left to right – Tina McCown, Benton James, Patricia McBride, Eva Atnipp, Mona Miller and Scott Conger – courtesy LIFELINE Blood Services)
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