Sally Ingenthron knows firsthand the importance of donating blood. The former Tomah Health Emergency Dept. registered nurse was one of 54 people who donated blood during a two-day Tomah Health / Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin blood drive at Tomah Recreation Park May 13 & 14.
“Just being an ER nurse, I know that there’s always a need,” said Ingenthron who worked at Tomah Health for 24 years. “Seems like there’s always a shortage of blood. People going through cancer treatments, surgeries, accidents, there’s always a need.”
The Warrens resident has been donating a number of years. “I try to get in as often as possible and you can save up to three lives with your donation.”
Versiti is the sole blood supplier to over 60 hospital systems in Wisconsin including Tomah Health, which Ingenthon said helps others. “I don’t think people realize how their donation can help other people.”
Versiti account representative Jackson Braasch said the two-day drive collected blood that will help 156 Wisconsin patients. “I’d like to thank each one of our loyal Tomah donors who came and participated in our blood drive.”
As an extra incentive, all attempting donors received a coupon for a complimentary pint of frozen custard courtesy of Culver’s of Tomah.
Tomah Health marketing and public relations director Eric Prise thanked the Tomah Parks & Recreation Dept. for using the facilities at Recreation Park for the drives. “We are especially thankful to Parks & Recreation director Joe Protz and his staff for hosting all of our drives,” he said.
Prise said the next blood drive will also be held at Recreation Park July 15 and 16.