Tomah resident Oak Moser says donating blood has become a personal obligation for him. “I’ll be honest, it’s a little bit of a feel good for me. You know someday I may need it, so I help out when I can,” said Moser who donated blood July 17 during a two-day Tomah Health / Versiti Blood Center drive at Tomah Recreation Park.
Moser said he has been donating since his college days. “It started a long time ago the first time was in college. Since then it’s been off and on in the early years, but a little steady over the last 10 or 15 years. So, it’s been almost lifelong,” said Moser.
Versiti officials said 58 donors took part in the July 16 & 17 drives, which collected blood products that will help 195 patients. “Whether it’s a mother giving birth, a veteran undergoing surgery, or a child fighting leukemia, there is a person on the other end of each donation. Every single unit collected is a powerful reminder of the impact a community can have when it comes together to care for its own,” said Versiti account representative Andrew Miller.
Moser said he was unaware that blood donated at Tomah drives help area hospitals, including Tomah Health. “It’s great to know that people in our local communities can benefit. That makes it more important for us.” Versiti Blood Center is the sole blood supplier to over sixty hospital systems in Wisconsin, including Tomah Health.
As an extra incentive, all attempting donors received a coupon for a free gate admission to the Monroe County Fair scheduled July 23-27 at Recreation Park in Tomah courtesy of Versiti and Tomah Health.
Moser said he intends to continue donating and encourages others to donate, especially anyone who has never donated.
“I think there’s some fear the process, bit it is pretty straightforward and simple. The people that work for Versiti are great. They take good care of you, and it doesn’t take as long as you might think and you’re helping other people.”
Tomah Health and Versiti have scheduled their next drive on Sept. 16 & 17 at Recreation Park in Tomah.