Photos: Apple Valley Fire Department Draws From Community For Blood Drive

Apple Valley resident Mary Schlingmann began donating blood a couple years ago, knowing that her O-negative blood type was a universal and always can be used.

"I might as well donate, since I can," she said as she recovered after giving blood at the 's annual American Red Cross blood drive on Monday.

About 150 to 200 people give blood each year at the fire department's drive, Apple Valley Fire Chief Nealon Thompson said.

Though there were fewer pre-registrations this year, the number of walk-in donors was "very strong," blood drive coordinator Laura Basballe said. As of 4:30 p.m. Monday—a little more than halfway through the six-hour blood drive—77 people had signed in, 29 of who were walk-ins.

The goal was to get 100 pints, or units of blood, she said. Each donor gives a pint. To meet that goal, fire department members were proactive and called previous donors to recruit participants, Red Cross donor recruitment representative Mike Fries said.

Jenni Hibberd said though she hasn't donated in a long time, she decided to start again with the thought that if she helps someone today, it might come back around when she needs help in the future. The sentiment helped her overcome the bit of fear she had about donating, she said.

Basballe also said the turnout could have been spurred by the recent rash of tornadoes across the southern United States, with people responding to the need for blood a natural disaster could bring. One donor even alluded to the feeling that giving blood was a patriotic thing to do after hearing Sunday night about the death of Osama bin Laden, she said.

Those big news items on everyone's minds likely make a lot of people think about how they could contribute, Schlingmann said.

"This is a good way to help," she said.