Blood Drives Bring Unity and Life in Time of Hate and Division

Sixth annual Blood Drive in memory of Allen Braund of
Saratoga, Wisconsin garners 39 units of blood for life
on Jan. 6, 2017 at the Wisconsin Rapids Elks Club.
Pictured above are donors, family and friends.
Image by Mary Captain-Braund.

Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin—Driving north on United States Highway 51-(I-39) into central Wisconsin, traffic is overflown by eagles drawing the attention of excited passengers.

This rural region with the Wisconsin River coursing serpentine is a thriving tourism and recreation mecca with strong communities and multi-generational families. It's a place where the 97-year-old, retired teacher, Lorraine Weaver gets out to eat breakfast at the Four Star Family Restaurant and is occasionally greeted by former students and families who recognize her from decades past.

Last weekend, the Wisconsin Rapids Elks Club housed the sixth annual Blood Drive in memory of Allen Braund, sponsored by the BloodCenter of Wisconsin, family and friends. Their mission is to save lives, and they're already have set the date for January 5th, 2019 as the seventh annual Blood Drive in memory of Allen Braund.

Braving below-zero weather, the community and visitors from as far-away as Chicago gathered to honor Allen Braund, donating some 39 units of whole blood and platelets, critical for the healing efforts of the medical profession.

"Every year at the event, it's January so it's cold and every year people rallying around Allen walk away feeling warm and reinvigorated, knowing we have helped our community and our fellows," said Mary Captain-Braund, wife of Allen.

The feeling is confirmed by medical professionals and staff who gratefully acknowledge the help of dedicated community members.

"Benefits such as Allen Braund's ensure the Blood Center of Wisconsin will be able to provide the blood products patients need at the local hospitals we serve," said Becky Brown, a staff member from the Blood Center.

The enterprise of coming together to pass our life-blood to others awakens in many the connections that bring people together from all walks of life.

One young gentleman donating around 12:30 p.m. told family members he read about the event in Wisconsin Rapids City Times, so he "came on over."

And the beautiful Wisconsin Rapids region is the place where unity and decency reign supreme.

Already, there is news of another blood drive this month, sponsored by the Paper City Savings Association.

Reports Joe Bachman of Wisconsin Rapids City Times:

Paper City Savings will be holding their fourth annual blood drive on Wednesday, Jan. 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at their Eighth St. location.

Our blood drive this year will be held in memory of our dear friend and coworker Gnet Williams who passed away on Oct. 2, 2017. Throughout her battle with cancer, Williams benefited many times from blood donations.

It's a good bet giving the gift of life will succeed again this month.