Walt Weiland says he donates blood to help others. “It’s easy and the benefit is to help others in need,” Weiland said prior to his blood donation at Tomah Recreation Park May 14.
The Tomah resident was one of 79 people who donated blood during a two-day Tomah Health / Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin May 14 & 15. Weiland said he has been donating for a couple of years at the encouragement of his wife, Amber, who is a nurse at Tomah Health.
Weiland also appreciates that his donation can help save the life of someone in his community. “I think that’s great, and it is local, that’s even better.” Blood collected during the Tomah drives helps to support nearly 50 hospitals in Wisconsin including Tomah Health.
Weiland said he plans to continue donating blood and encouraged others to donate too. “I’d say it’s piece cake and pretty efficient. There’s a questionnaire that you can fill out before you get here so it’s pretty seamless and easy.”
Versiti account representative Lauren Sanders Fleming said collections during the two-day drive will help over 207 patients at community hospitals. “Giving blood at community drives like this is a powerful way to make a real difference for patients in Wisconsin,” said Sanders Fleming.
She said donating blood now ensures that blood banks are well-stocked to meet the anticipated increase in demand during the warmer months when there’s an increase in trauma-related incidents, such as car accidents and outdoor injuries, that require blood transfusions for victims.
Tomah Health and Versiti have scheduled their next drive on July 16 & 17 at Recreation Park in Tomah.