Note: Ada's next blood drive is from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday, Nov. 25, at Community Health Professionals.
By Barbara Lockard
At a jewelry party in 1984, a woman asked Chris Gibson why she wasn’t working with the local Red Cross. Gibson gave it some thought and applied to be a volunteer. The rest is truly history.
At age 87, Gibson has logged 35 years as Ada’s Bloodmobile coordinator. She’ll turn over the volunteer position to Mary Hackworth this month.
“I’ll be around at the November and January blood drives,” said Gibson. “But I’ll only step in if I’m needed.”
She is most proud of Ada’s great reputation for an efficient and well-run Bloodmobile, but also for the food that’s available to donors. Initially, the Red Cross provided juice and crackers to those who had just given blood. Gibson wasn’t satisfied with that.
“I contacted all of our local clubs and asked them to furnish the refreshments on the days they helped with Bloodmobile,” she recalled. “The clubs were wonderful. In the winter we always have hot food and in warmer weather we do cheese sandwiches and fruit and vegetable plates. I’ve heard people say it’s worth giving blood just to sample the food afterwards!”
Gibson admits that the process has changed over the years and technology is playing a larger role. She’s pleased that Hackworth is very computer savvy. “That’s what’s needed,” she added. Hackworth has worked in registration for Bloodmobiles for about a year. She’s familiar with the process and has Gibson’s full vote of confidence.
Demand for blood has increased in the past three decades. Although blood donated here usually stays in the region, it will be shipped elsewhere in the event of a disaster. Average turnout in Ada is 36 donors and many are regulars. It’s those regulars that Gibson will remember.
“We had one very dedicated donor who used to look at me and do a little dance when he came in,” she said. “It just made my day! The big part of this job is connecting with people.”
All Bloodmobiles are located at Ada Visiting Nurses, 4392 State Route 235, but have been held at Ada’s First United Methodist Church and the VFW. The accommodations at Visiting Nurses seem to fit their needs and Gibson thinks the Bloodmobiles have found a home there. Because of health issues, Gibson herself cannot donate blood, but encourages everyone she meets to do so.
“Since I can’t give blood, I give back by volunteering,” she said thoughtfully. She estimates the coordinator role takes her about 10 hours per week. Other volunteers handle registration, reminder calls and set up. The technicians come from Red Cross in Columbus.
Doesn’t know a stranger
A long-time Ada resident, Gibson knows just about everyone in the community. Her husband Tom was the Ada Police Chief until his retirement in 1991. In addition to her work with Red Cross, she volunteers on Mondays and Fridays at Lima Memorial Hospital, helping to staff the front desk.
“I love it there,” she said. “We laugh and have a great time. You’ve got to be friendly when you’re on the desk,” she added. She’s also earned a reputation for the brownies she bakes and brings in to share. Lima Memorial CEO Mike Swick is an avid fan.
“I told him he can’t cut my pay because I’m a volunteer,” she joked. “He says he can’t fire me anyway because of my brownies.”
Finishing up her duties with Bloodmobiles, Gibson still plans to remain very busy with her hospital volunteer work, meeting her daughter for coffee, cleaning her house and, of course, cheering on her beloved Ohio State Buckeyes.
