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PITTSBURG —
Do the math.
Each blood donation has the potential to save three lives, and there are six community blood drives in Girard every year that are responsible for collecting 258 pints of blood, which comes to 774 lives a year.
Then multiply those 774 lives by the 22 years that Juanita Payne coordinated American Red Cross blood drives in Girard.
It comes to roughly 16,000 lives that Payne, a retired Kansas State University Extension Home Economist (they’re now called family and consumer science agents), may have helped save.
Payne got started with the drives when a friend asked for help.
“I can’t donate blood, so this has always been a way for me to help the Red Cross,” Payne said. “I grew up in Altamont but have lived in Girard for over 60 years, so I’ve always known who I could call on to volunteer.”
In recognition of her contributions, the Red Cross will conduct its next blood drive in her honor. It will be held from noon to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. Michael’s Parish Hall, Girard.
American Red Cross Blood Services — Central Plains Region thanked Payne for her dedication over the years.
“It is truly amazing the number of hours Juanita has put into coordinating and staffing blood drives over the years,” said Debbie Cox, donor resource representative. “I know she will be missed by all of her volunteers and donors.”
Payne also had a distinguished career in the Kansas State University Extension Service, according to Anna Mae Brown, who took over Payne’s position after she retired.
“Juanita had been in Extension for 42 years when she retired in May 1990,” Brown said. “I’m sure she saw many changes in those 42 years. During the early years of her career, she did home visits, then she began working with large groups. The goal was always the same, to provide information and strengthen families.”
Brown said that Payne did a lot in teaching food preservation. For a time, she also had a popular weekly cooking show on KOAM TV.
“Then she organized the blood drives for 22 years, and she has also been a volunteer Pink Lady for the Girard Medical Center,” Brown said. “Juanita has been a steady force in Girard for many years.”
Those wishing to donate blood in her honor may call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org. Walk-in donors are also welcome. All blood types are needed. A blood donor’s card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required in order to check in.
Donors must be in generally good health, weigh at least 110 and be at least 17 years old, or 16 years old in Kansas with a completed parental consent form. New height and weight restrictions apply to donors aged 18 and younger.
Do the math.
Each blood donation has the potential to save three lives, and there are six community blood drives in Girard every year that are responsible for collecting 258 pints of blood, which comes to 774 lives a year.
Then multiply those 774 lives by the 22 years that Juanita Payne coordinated American Red Cross blood drives in Girard.
It comes to roughly 16,000 lives that Payne, a retired Kansas State University Extension Home Economist (they’re now called family and consumer science agents), may have helped save.
Payne got started with the drives when a friend asked for help.
“I can’t donate blood, so this has always been a way for me to help the Red Cross,” Payne said. “I grew up in Altamont but have lived in Girard for over 60 years, so I’ve always known who I could call on to volunteer.”
In recognition of her contributions, the Red Cross will conduct its next blood drive in her honor. It will be held from noon to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at St. Michael’s Parish Hall, Girard.
American Red Cross Blood Services — Central Plains Region thanked Payne for her dedication over the years.
“It is truly amazing the number of hours Juanita has put into coordinating and staffing blood drives over the years,” said Debbie Cox, donor resource representative. “I know she will be missed by all of her volunteers and donors.”
Payne also had a distinguished career in the Kansas State University Extension Service, according to Anna Mae Brown, who took over Payne’s position after she retired.
“Juanita had been in Extension for 42 years when she retired in May 1990,” Brown said. “I’m sure she saw many changes in those 42 years. During the early years of her career, she did home visits, then she began working with large groups. The goal was always the same, to provide information and strengthen families.”
Brown said that Payne did a lot in teaching food preservation. For a time, she also had a popular weekly cooking show on KOAM TV.
“Then she organized the blood drives for 22 years, and she has also been a volunteer Pink Lady for the Girard Medical Center,” Brown said. “Juanita has been a steady force in Girard for many years.”
Those wishing to donate blood in her honor may call 1-800 RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit www.redcrossblood.org. Walk-in donors are also welcome. All blood types are needed. A blood donor’s card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required in order to check in.
Donors must be in generally good health, weigh at least 110 and be at least 17 years old, or 16 years old in Kansas with a completed parental consent form. New height and weight restrictions apply to donors aged 18 and younger.
