Valley Voice Newspaper

Tulare - Just as the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the U.S. changed lives, so did Tulare's initial memorial blood drive marking the anniversary of that tragic day.
Although the change here last September was neither tragic nor dramatic, it was important because it introduced more than 100 Tulare residents—25 percent of the 400-plus people who donated —to the practice of giving blood.

Jennifer McCoun was one of those who previously shied away from making blood donations, but she has given several times since the 2007 event and intends to donate toward this year's Sept. 11 Memorial Blood Drive at the Tulare Veterans Memorial Building.

“I hate needles; I seriously hate needles,” said McCoun, chief executive officer of the Tulare Chamber of Commerce. “Even at the dentist we go through this whole routine, so I don't know when he's putting the needle in.”

Because she is a member of the Tulare Noon Rotary Club, a sponsor of the event, and because it was held in honor of firefighters who lost their lives in the attacks, McCoun mustered up the courage to donate.

“If that many people gave up their lives trying to save others, I could suck it up and donate,” she said.

Fellow Rotarian Ken Dodson, a Tulare Fire Department battalion chief, wouldn't let her off the hook with one donation, though, and called her eight weeks later to donate to the Battle of the Badge blood drive, a friendly competition involving public safety agencies. When she lost a bet to him later, she was on the hook again, this time for every eight weeks for a year.

“I have to give Ken credit; he's a very good champion for the cause,” McCoun said. “I've gotten to the point where it's not such a big thing anymore. It does make you feel good and for an hour of your time, you could be saving someone's life.”

Blood drive organizers hope the memorial event will encourage even more people who have never donated blood to step-forward and participate. To this end, the first 50 first-timers will receive a free ticket to the Galaxy Theatres.

The movie ticket is in addition to a T-shirt and free ticket to the Tulare County Fair, which all donors in Tulare will receive.

“This has a bit of relevance for us, since the [2001] attack happened during the fair,” said the fair's Chief Executive Officer Geoff Hinds. “We want to recognize those who are willing to support the community.”

Expanded Drive

Organizers last year sought to collect a minimum of 343 pints of blood—one for every firefighter killed during the rescue effort. This year, the drive has expanded with Rotary Clubs in Fresno, Visalia and Porterville organizing drives in an attempt to generate a combined total of 822 pints.

“That's two pints for each of the 411 rescue worker who died in 9-11,” said Rotarian Amy Benton-Hermann. The total includes firefighters, police and Port Authority Officers and other emergency personnel.

“We're trying to do 411 pints here in Tulare and surrounding areas,” Benton-Hermann said.

Like last year, everyone who makes a donation will receive a badge with the name of a rescue worker who died in the tragedy.

“I think that was one of the most touching things they did last year,” said Chris Sorenson, director of community relations and development for the Central California Blood Center. “I thought that was so special.”

Organizers heard many other favorable comments about the badges. “It made it more personal,” Benton-Hermann said.

'Just Perfect'

Sorensen said everything about the planned blood drive is “just perfect,” including the sentiment and the timing.

“What a wonderful, wonderful way to honor those who lost their lives in 9-11 and do so in a way that will help so many people,” she said.

The drive will come on the heels of a three-day Labor Day weekend, when normally the demand for blood skyrockets. “It takes several weeks to catch up,” Sorensen said. “This will help us to restore our supply.”

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