The Blood Assurance blood drive and public awareness observance for Tennessee Organ Donor Services held last Tuesday at the Community Complex was a huge success. The event was sponsored by DeKalb County Clerk James L. (Jimmy) Poss.

The blood drive, named "DeKalb County Neighbors Helping Neighbor’s Program, was scheduled for 1-6 p.m. but lasted until well after 7 p.m. as participation was phenomenal.

"There were 31 units of blood donated, which is outstanding," Poss told the Smithville Review. "Thirty-three people showed up and 31 were eligible. This will be used in more than 90 adults or even more children."

"Due to short notice and not having enough commitments, we were unable to set up a full room so Blood Assurance used their bus. The staff worked aggressively to accommodate each person’s time," Poss added. "We are deeply and humbly appreciative of the community’s willingness to participate."

Blood Assurance is the local supplier of blood and blood products in Smithville to St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital. They also provide blood directly to neighboring area hospitals in McMinnville and Sparta.

During the hours of the blood drive Sherri Settles, representative of Tennessee Donor Services, educated listeners on the importance of organ and tissue donations. Betty Matthews, a kidney transplant recipient, spoke about her illness since childhood and journey to receiving a transplant. There are currently over 120,000 people in the United States waiting for a lifesaving transplant. Tennessee’s waiting list contains 2,900 people, most needing a kidney transplant. Nationally, 22 people die each day while on the waiting list.

Poss plans to organize another blood drive in the future with the goal of getting the commitments required to set up a full room which will allow more staff and less wait time for those donating.