RECORD 116 PINTS OF BLOOD DONATED AT BLOOD DRIVE SPONSORED BY THE ST. MARY OF HUNTLEY KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS COUNCIL #11666

Knights of Columbus Council Chaplin Monsignor Steve Knox (left) and Council Chancellor Jerry O’Sullivan (center) talk with Knight Scott Bytnar (right) while Scott was making a double red cell donation at the recent St. Mary of Huntley Knights of Columbus Council #11666 Blood Drive on September 10, 2011

On Saturday, September, 2011, a record 116 pints of blood were donated at the quarterly blood drive sponsored by The St. Mary of Huntley Knights of Columbus Council #11666, in cooperation with Heartland Blood Centers headquartered in Aurora and the generous participation by parishioners of St. Mary Catholic Church in Huntley and other local residents.  Of the 116 pints of blood donated, 34 were Knights from the St. Mary of Huntley Knights of Columbus Council.

Ten donors, including 6 Knights from the St. Mary’s Council made a double red cell donation.  The Knights making the double red cell donation were Don Walz, Don Moore, Mike Grunthaner, Dominjo Boneta, Scott Bytnar and Bill Byrne.  A double blood cell donation is similar to a whole blood donation, except a special machine is used to allow the donor to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation while the donor’s plasma and platelets are returned to the donor. Red blood cells are the most frequently used blood component and are needed by almost every type of patient requiring transfusion. This donation process is as safe as whole blood donation.

In 2010, the four St. Mary of Huntley Knights of Columbus Blood drives totaled approximately 340 pints of blood donated.  So far this year the St. Mary’s Knight’s three blood drives have resulted in 304 pints of blood being donated.  The Knights would like to be the catalyst for donors.  The Knights are encouraging their members, parishioners and local residents to consider participating in these future drives and thus give the gift of life to help someone in need.  Their 2011 goal is to have 400 pints donated at their sponsored blood drives.  

The next blood drive will be held on Saturday, December 3, 2011 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Huntley.  Additional information can be obtained by calling 630-584-1458.