The largest blood drive in the Greater Kansas City region, Resurrection has collected nearly 60,000 donations
KANSAS CITY, MO – Community Blood Center (CBC) and Resurrection, A United Methodist Church are celebrating 30 years of lifesaving partnership with a series of blood drives this August. Over the past three decades, Resurrection has hosted more than 300 blood drives, resulting in the collection of nearly 60,000 units of lifesaving blood products, making them the single largest blood drive partner in the Greater Kansas City area. The first of five 30th Anniversary Resurrection Blood Drives will take place at Resurrection – Leawood on August 19th and 20th from 8am – 8pm each day.
Resurrection member Ann Joyner began sponsoring blood drives through the church after her son Matthew needed blood. Matthew was born with a genetic defect and required several blood transfusions during a major surgery. Since his passing, Ann and Resurrection have continued to honor Matthew’s memory through church-sponsored blood drives and through Matthew’s Ministry, a program dedicated to offering support for special needs individuals and their families.
“Thanks to his dedicated team of doctors and the generosity of anonymous blood donors, Matthew lived 21 full and happy years,” said Ann Joyner, Matthew’s Mom and Resurrection Blood Drive Coordinator. “It makes sense that God took one little boy, who many thought had nothing to give and some said was ‘Not Worth Saving’ to drive home His point that every single life is valuable and absolutely everyone has something to give.”
In celebration of this 30-year partnership, all donors who show up to give at a Resurrection blood drive this August will receive a $5 gift card to The Golden Scoop, a local nonprofit ice cream shop dedicated to providing innovative and meaningful employment for individuals with developmental disabilities. Additionally, NMDP (formerly Be The Match) will be on site at the Resurrection Leawood blood drives providing swab kits for those who wish to join the National Bone Marrow Registry.
Media partners are invited to attend the 30th Anniversary blood drives at Resurrection’s Leawood campus:
WHEN: Monday, August 19, 2024 and Tuesday, August 20, 2024, 8am – 8pm each day
WHERE: Resurrection (Leawood) – 13720 Roe Ave, Leawood, KS 66224
WHO: Blood Donors, Resurrection Volunteers, NMDP, and Community Center Representatives
“For 30 years, the blood drive has been one of the many ways Resurrection cares for our community and follows Jesus’ command to love our neighbors,” said Resurrection Senior Pastor Adam Hamilton. “We are honored to be part of this lifesaving work and grateful to the thousands of people who have donated and volunteered at our blood drives.”
“Resurrection has been a faithful and steadfast partner to Community Blood Center and to patients in our community for three decades,” said Jennifer Kaluza, Executive Director at Community Blood Center. “Their dedication to our mission has led to countless lives saved, and their impact on our community will be felt for decades more.”
To make an appointment at a Resurrection blood drive this August, click here. Blood donors can give every 56 days, and platelet donors can give twice per month. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently lifted eligibility restrictions for individuals who lived in Europe during certain periods of time. To view current eligibility guidelines, visit savealifenow.org or call 800.688.0900.