Bad weather reduces blood drive turnout

Miller-Keystone Blood Center's Palmerton-area community blood drive on March 3 drew 49 potential donors, despite one of this winter's frequent storms. There were 52 units of blood collected.The drive was sponsored by Irene Shinsec, Bonnie Snyder and John Oblick, all in memory of Jean Behler.The following donors reached gallon levels: Kyle Ahner, 11 gallons; Brian Wanamaker, 6 gallons; Dale Green, 4 gallons; Maureen Leaswitch, 2 gallons; and Henry Williams, 1 gallon. There was one first-time donor.Each blood drive requires a large number of volunteers. Those who helped with this drive were: Pam Andrews, George Ashman, Mary Beth Beers, Jane Borbe, Harry Brown, Marian Carty, Jane Cervenak, "Honey" Cyr, Thomason Falcone, Jean Fritzinger, Shirley Greene, Jean Halmi, Beverly Hargreaves, "Bif" Hayes, Roseann Heydt, Marian Hoffner, Bernice Kleintop, Helen Nonnemaker, Susan Olivia, Carol Papay, Evelyn Plechavy, Marge Porambo, Gwen Rodrigues, Terri Sebelin, Betty Steigerwalt, Mary Taschler, Annette Wargo, Tara Wargo and Brenda Wentz.The next Miller-Keystone community blood drive will be on May 4.There will be a Miller-Keystone drive at Palmerton Area High School on April 1, open only to students and staff.