Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative has a very serious mission: To save 1,000 lives in 2019. And the co-op is enlisting its members’ help throughout the communities it serves — both in Northeast Indiana and Northwest Ohio — to do this through blood donations.
“One blood donation can save up to three lives,” said Marketing and Economic Development Manager Erika Willitzer. “Most people don’t realize how big of an impact just one hour of their day can have when they make an appointment to donate blood. It could be the most important appointment they ever make!”
PPEC is hosting a blood drive on Thursday, Jan. 24, 2019, from noon to 6 p.m. at its office: 401 McDonald Pike, Paulding, Ohio 45879. Walk-ins are accepted, but it’s preferred donors make an appointment by signing up for a time slot at www.PPEC.coop/save-1000-lives. Snacks and refreshments will be provided.
To meet this ambitious 2019 goal, PPEC needs at least 334 blood donations. But the co-op can’t do it alone — the entire community’s help is needed.
Watch PPEC’s website and social media channels for area blood drives. If you’re interested in setting up or hosting a drive, please reach out to ewillitzer@ppec.coop or call 419-399-1868. The co-op is more than happy to partner with interested groups and help organize blood drives.
“Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood,” states the American Red Cross website. “Blood donors help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, children, and those battling cancer.”
A blog post from the American Red Cross explains that many people are nervous about donating blood, but after their first donation say they are sorry they waited so long.
“If you’re nervous about donating blood, don’t let that stop you from trying,” Willitzer said. “It’s a momentary discomfort for the donor that can provide a lifetime of difference for the patient.”
Donors are encouraged to download the Red Cross mobile app and start Rapid Pass online the day of their appointment to expedite the health history process, cutting total donation time down to a half-hour.
To learn about the blood donation process or commonly asked questions, visit www.redcrossblood.org. To learn more about PPEC’s campaign and to see blood drives in your area, visit www.PPEC.coop/save-1000-lives and follow Paulding Putnam Electric Co-op on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Paulding Putnam Electric Cooperative is proud to serve more than 12,900 members in Paulding, Putnam, Defiance, Van Wert, and Allen counties in Ohio, and Adams and Allen counties in Indiana. Since 1935, our not-for-profit model has allowed us to provide affordable, reliable, and safe power to rural areas with pride.
