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Kinettes supporting blood donations for 33 years

The Kinette Club of Stettler is marking the 33rd year of supporting blood donations this year, according to the Canadian Blood Services.

The Kinette Club of Stettler is marking the 33rd year of supporting blood donations this year, according to the Canadian Blood Services (CBS).

With 200k donations needed by the Canadian Blood Services by July 1, Kathy Pivert, blood donor coordinator of Stettler Kinettes urges people in the community to become a blood donor.

"Helping out at the Blood Donor Clinics in Stettler is strictly a service commitment," said Pivert. "We receive no money for helping."

According to Pivert, although Canadian Blood Services have this as the 33rd year that they have volunteered with CBS, Pivert believes that they have been doing this much longer and CBS isn't aware of it because of a fire that destroyed some of their volunteer records.

"In my role as a coordinator, I have to organize cookie donation from Bloke's Bakery, Stettler Sobeys and the Subway here, our local sponsors who have been so generous, besides water donation from Pro-Water, coffee supplies from CJ Oilfield Construction Ltd., but on the day of the clinic, there is set up to complete before Blood Donor Services arrive," said Pivert. "Once the clinic starts, the Kinettes serve refreshments and water to the people who have donated blood."

Pivert added that after the event, tear down begins and with their long-time helper, Chris Nichols, everything gets put away and cleaned up.

"For each clinic setup, it takes at least eight Kinettes to run the event and it is always great to see the first-time donors out there and it is amazing when someone reaches a milestone of giving 25, 50, 75 or more donations," explained Pivert. "The Stettler Blood Donor Clinic is one of the best in Central Alberta averaging over 100 donations per clinic, and it is because of this that the clinic was moved to a Monday."

After a weekend, supply is low and they count on the Stettler Clinic to refill the needed supply to save lives.

"Residents from Stettler and surrounding area have always given generously," said Pivert. "Previously it was held at the basement of a church, but now the blood donor camp is held at the Stettler Community Hall, an indication of how much Stettler has grown too."

The Kinette Club of Stettler will be hosting their next blood donor clinic on Monday, May 30.