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Blood Drives to Honor Memory of Tori Waggoner

Blood Drives to Honor Memory of Tori Waggoner
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By Paul Schaumburg, Graves County Schools
Mar. 01, 2015 | MAYFIELD, KY
By Paul Schaumburg, Graves County Schools Mar. 01, 2015 | 02:19 PM | MAYFIELD, KY
Giving blood as a special memorial is the theme of the American Red Cross blood drives at all Graves County elementary schools the second week of March. “Each school is hosting its drive in memory of Tori Elizabeth Waggoner,” said Laura Fristoe, donor recruitment representative of the American Red Cross, Tennessee Valley Blood Services Region, based in Nashville, Tenn.

“The memorial aspect makes these blood drives even more meaningful,” she explained. “Many people in the Graves County area remember Tori as a fun-loving, beautiful, sweet girl who lost her battle with cancer after eight years. Her mother, Leshia Mathis, currently is a guidance counselor at Graves County High School and also has worked as a counselor and teacher in the district’s elementary schools. Tori’s life story is filled with lots of love of family and friends who were able to spend many more years with her partly because of blood transfusions she received. In fact, Tori received more than 20 pints of blood during one surgery.”

Each spring and fall for more than ten years, the Graves County Schools have partnered with the American Red Cross to host blood drives and through that tradition, have helped save thousands of lives. “These are not easy events to pull off, to say the least,” Fristoe noted. “Coordinators from each school put in hours of hard work recruiting and scheduling donors, assigning volunteers and educating and motivating students to increase their leadership skills and to become heroes by recruiting adults to donate in their place. It is amazing to see each community as well as the entire county come together to support the efforts of each school and to make a significant impact on so many lives!

“Many people don’t realize that most cancer patients must receive blood products: platelets and/or red blood cells during their treatment, as one example of the need.  Last year alone, Graves County schools collected 435 units of blood, which resulted in more than 1,300 lives potentially saved. This year is on pace to collect even more.” Fristoe concluded, “Tori’s family hopes her story inspires others to donate blood at one of seven locations over the course of four days. When you give blood, you truly do give the gift of life.”

Walk-ins are welcome. However, donors are encouraged to pre-schedule appointments because it reduces waiting time. To schedule an appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org or email the coordinator at the preferred location. 

Sedalia, from 1-6 p.m. Monday, March 9, contact Mike.Duncan@graves.kyschools.us.

Fancy Farm, 1-6 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, contact Leahckeeling@yahoo.com.

Central, 1-6 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, contact Juliana.Reyes@graves.kyschools.us.

Symsonia, noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 11, contact Jennifer.Morris@graves.kyschools.us.   

Farmington, noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, March 12, contact Jennifer.Morris@graves.kyschools.us.

Lowes, noon to 5 p.m. Thursday, March 12, contact Stephanie.Matthews@graves.kyschools.us.

Wingo, 1-6 p.m. Thursday, March 12, contact Tana.Jones@graves.kyschools.us.

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