It's hard to visualize that within hours of your blood donation, it is flowing within the veins and heart of another human being -- blood that is desperately needed by someone for continued life.
While we take life for granted, there are people who are waiting for that pint of blood -- or more, in the case of an organ transplant. The blood you give is soon replaced within your own body in a short time, and studies show that a blood donor is healthier in the process.
Someone, somewhere, in the United States needs a blood transplant every 12 seconds, every day, all the time. That is why we keep trying month after month to recruit donors. Others need your blood to stay alive. It's as simple as that.
And, to those who have donated, you can be proud. Because of your efforts, the Tri-City Legion has consistently been one of the top donor posts of all the American Legion Posts within the State of Minnesota. As such, past and present donors deserve a strong pat on the back.
To current participants and new participants alike, if you can please make a trip to the Vet's Hospital Blood Donor Center with us, we, as well of those in need of blood, will greatly appreciate your gift and your time. To help make it an easy, fun and social affair, we also provide rides to the VA from the Tri-City Post on the first Tuesday of each month, with a 5:30 p.m. departure time.
Again, please join us if you can. You'll be glad that you did.
Sincerely,
| Tony Yurkew Blood Chair |
Norb Stachowski Commander |
Karen Schwalbe Auxiliary Chair |
Give the Gift of Life ... Give Blood!
St. Paul Pioneer Press Publishes News Story About Tri-City Legion Blood Donor Program
After becoming aware of Tri-City in February through its web site, Cynthia Boyd, Staff Writer with the St. Paul Pioneer Press, contacted Commander Norb Stachowski, asking for more information about Tri-City's community programs. In her discussion with the Commander, Cynthia expressed great interest in Tri-City's blood donor program. She subsequently made arrangements to accompany a group of Tri-City blood donors to the VA Hospital on March 6, 2001, along with a Pioneer Press photographer. The story ran on Thursday, March 8, 2001, and gave praise to Tri-City for its blood donations and its other community programs.
Since its inception in 1986, Tri-City American Legion Post #513 has consistently been one of the top veterans organizations in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin for total blood donations.
Total Pints Donated by Tri-City Members, by Year
| 2002 | 2003 |
| 146 | 197 |
Over the past decade, Tri-City participants have donated about 3,500 units of blood!
How You Can Participate Too -- and Why!
You, or any member of your family who is at least 17 years of age, is welcome to participate.
Come to the Tri-City Post on the first Tuesday of any/every month. Arrive by 5:15 p.m. to join other Legion Members in a van-pool to the VA Hospital Blood Bank Center. (Better yet, arrive at 5:00 p.m. and participate in the Auxiliary's Monthly Chicken Dinner in the Dining Room!)
If another time is more convenient for you, contact the VA Blood Center directly (see below) and arrange a time to donate. Make sure to identify yourself as an associate of Tri-City American Legion Post #513. Also, contact the Tri-City office at (651) 631-1124 or info@tricitylegion.org with the information on your blood donation, so it can be recorded by our Blood Donation Chair.
| Veterans Affairs Medical Center/American Red Cross Blood Donor Center |
| Ward 4D |
| One Veterans Drive (VA Medical Center on Hiawatha Avenue) |
| Minneapolis, MN 55417 |
| (952) 725-2275 |
| Hours as of Jan, 2001 (call
for updates): Mondays, Tuesdays & Thursdays: 12:15 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. Fridays: 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Closed on various holidays. |
As a thank you to its blood donors, beginning in January of 1997, Tri-City began awarding a $10 gift to participants for each blood donation. In lieu of this gift, blood donors may apply it toward the cost of a special Tri-City Blood Donor jacket, which is awarded after one gallon has been donated. Patches are awarded thereafter to recognize subsequent donation milestones. So, begin earning your Tri-City Blood Donor jacket and patches today, by giving the gift of life!
Links of Interest to
Blood Donors and Blood Recipients;
Information about Giving Blood
If you have questions or need additional information about any Tri-City Legion programs or services, e-mail Tri-City Legion at info@tricitylegion.org.
(Please note that, if you are submitting your e-mail in the evening or on the weekend, your e-mail might not be read until the next business day.)If you have feedback on the contents of this site, if you find any errors or links that do not work properly, or if you have ideas or information to contribute to this site, e-mail the Web Designer at webdesigner@tricitylegion.org.
Last updated: 3/22/08
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Gail Kalata, Web Site Designer
