Coordinator rewarded for service

Since 2004, Darlene Carter Rose, coordinator for United Blood Services blood drives in Ekalaka, has seen 2,047 people donate. In total, she has helped to collect 2,568 units of blood in that same time frame.

On Tuesday, she was rewarded for her years of dedication with a 55" television. Carter Rose won the TV through United Blood Service's Save Our Summer, a promotion held this summer for coordinators. She was entered into the drawing for the TV twice, once for reaching her goal set at the last drive, and once for exceeding it.

Carter Rose said that 2009 and 2011 were her best year's holding drives in Ekalaka. The highest number of donors she has seen in one year was 245.

Nationally, United Blood Services has been struggling to get donations. Carter Rose said that her numbers are also down compared to her good years. Sherri Houston, donor recruiter for United Blood Services, was in Ekalaka to present the prize. She also praised Carter Rose for her years of dedication.

There has been an uptick in numbers at recent, local drives said Carter Rose, hopeful that they might again reach as high as they did in 2011. She continues to encourage almost everyone she encounters into donating and constantly compares her numbers to nearby towns.

As for the TV, well, Carter Rose was wondering how she was going to carry it out to her car by herself. Luckily, some of her faithful donors offered to help. Some even joked about taking it home for themselves.

When asked about the prize, Carter Rose didn't really have much to say. Her main focus was on the day's drive, and how to increase the total units of blood donated in Ekalaka.