To the editor:

As blood drive coordinator and supervisor of the blood bank at LMH Health, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to the Lawrence community for donating a total of 179 units of blood over two days recently at the LMH blood drives. These altruistic individuals stepped up to give a pint of blood that will save or improve the quality of someone’s life.

I would also like to thank Crescent Moon Winery and 23rd Street Brewery for participating in the “Pint for a Pint” promotion that allowed Community Blood Center to hand out drink coupons to all donors at the drives. Their support of the blood donors is greatly appreciated.

Throughout the pandemic, the national blood supply has been affected to the point that some facilities are forced to make difficult choices about which patients will receive blood transfusions. Fortunately, this has not occurred locally and is due largely to the compassion and dedication of our local blood donors.

Again, thank you to everyone who helps keep the local blood supply adequate for our patients in need.

Faith Friesen,

Lawrence