Albertville church hosts regular blood drives for 3 decades


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ALBERTVILLE, Ala. (AP) — For the past three decades, twice-a-year American Red Cross blood drives have been a constant at North Broad Street Church of Christ.

The church on July 14 began its 31st year of those drives. They usually are held at the end of June and between Christmas and New Year's Day. This year's summer drive was later than usual, however, because of a technical glitch.

Church member Tony Simmons has served as the drive coordinator since the beginning, and also has been a regular donor.

"I've given more than 13 gallons (104 units)," Simmons said, explaining that he first donated blood during his freshman year at Northeast State Junior College in Rainsville, nearly a half-century ago.

The late Norman Darden, when he was mayor, got Simmons involved with the American Red Cross, of which he served on the board of directors. Simmons was donating blood at the First Methodist Church drives before he started the drive at North Broad Street Church of Christ.

Simmons remembers that in August 1998, during a heat wave when blood units were short, North Broad Street held a special drive. Sixty people showed up and there were 54 productive units donated. That's the largest number for any single blood drive. Simmons said the goal is 20 productive units per drive.

Simmons said there is a special need during the summer since no drives are held because school isn't in session and industries are often closed down for a week or two at a time. Schools and industries are regular sponsors of blood drives.

"We have this (summer) drive to make up the slack," Simmons said. "Every drive is special; you can't artificially create blood."

Among the first donors in 1985 was Polly Underwood, who now is 85. She had to quit donating on doctor's orders about six years ago. The late Bill Gullahorn also was a regular donor, as is his son John and Charlie Hare, members of an Albertville law firm.

"It's a great way to reach out to the community," said Seth Terrell, pulpit minister for the church, "to get people involved. Tony works hard to get the word out."

Besides Simmons, Frances Stanfield has been involved in all blood drives. Her daughter, Katie Stanfield, also goes back to the first blood drive in 1985, but she was only 3 at the time. Her daughters Emily, 5, and Abbie, 3, are regular faces at each drive, just as their mother was as a young girl.

Verndale Bolton and LuAnne Thrash are other veteran volunteers.

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Information from: The Gadsden Times, http://www.gadsdentimes.com

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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KERRY YENCER

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