CHL Mississippi RiverKings

Hockey players first to give in community blood drive

Published on February 21, 2005 under Central Hockey League (CHL)
Mississippi RiverKings News Release


SOUTHAVEN—Hockey players are known to freely give teeth and even their own blood for the good cause of taking home a win, but today four RiverKings players donated blood others who are sick and injured at Lifeblood donor center in Southaven.

The players led the way for RiverKings fans and supporters in a blood drive that begins today and lasts through Saturday, Feb. 26. The drive will culminate in a special donation event at the DeSoto Civic Center on Saturday, when Lifeblood staff will take donations from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. before the ‘Kings take on the San Angelo Saints that night at 7:05 p.m.

From now until Saturday, all who donate at Lifeblood centers in the tri-state area will receive a complimentary voucher for free admission to the Saturday game. Those who donate on Saturday at the DeSoto Civic Center will receive a voucher and will also be entered into a drawing to win RiverKings prizes.

"We give enough during a game that you could probably just get it off the ice," forward Allan Carr said jokingly as R.N. Pam Leath prepped his arm.

"I did it for the cookies," goalie Tyson Gajda said, as he recovered across the way from Carr, munching on chocolate chip cookies and sipping soda.

Everyone laughed, including goalie David Lemanowicz and ‘Kings Community Relations representative Summer Holbrook, who was trying to avoid looking at the nurse next to her with a needle.

RiverKings forward Tim Plett voiced the players' true motivation, applying the principle of being a good Samaritan.

"It's good to know I'm helping to save a life," Plett said. "We've all known someone who's been in a life-threatening situation, whether it's an automobile accident or a serious illness. My brother had really bad stomach ulcers, and at one point was losing so much blood they had him hooked up to three bags of blood at once. Somebody gave to help him, and maybe now I can return the favor."

And of course, there's the added benefit of having an edge in the next big home stand this weekend, when the ‘Kings take on the Wichita Thunder, the San Angelo Saints and the Fort Worth Brahmas.

"Men don't delete the iron in their blood like women do, so it builds up around their heart and in their legs," phlebotomist Sandy Spindler said. "In about 24 hours your body will begin to replace it. You'll feel better and have heightened energy."

Each year, hospitals in the Memphis community require about 104,000 units of blood to treat patients in their care, and Lifeblood's volunteer donors provide just over than half that amount. The rest must be imported from other volunteer blood centers throughout the country. Only dedicated individuals donating more frequently can help the community close that gap and stabilize the local blood supply.

The blood collected is used to help patients in need of transfusion or having surgery, those suffering from cancer or in need of organ transplants, as well as accident victims, premature babies and people with blood disorders like sickle cell disease. In most cases, a pint of donated blood is separated into components that can help up to four different patients.

Individuals who are in generally good health, at least 17 years old and weigh at least 110 pounds may donate blood at any of Lifeblood's 12 donor centers or during numerous mobile drives hosted throughout the Memphis area, like the Feb 26 one at the DeSoto Civic Center.

Please call 1-888-543-3256 or visit www.lifeblood.org to find out more about donating blood and saving lives in your community, or call the RiverKings office at 662-342-1755.

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Central Hockey League Stories from February 21, 2005


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central