2008 Woodie Awards
Nontraditional student achieves donation milestone
Rachel Harper
Issue date: 2/2/06 Section: News
The Community Blood Center collected 236 units of blood at a drive in Elliott Union Ballroom on Jan. 24 and 25.
"All the blood that is donated to the center stays in the local area," said Kristie Brinkley, coordinator of volunteer services and nontraditional student services.
Carney Schnakenberg, a non-traditional student and main campus custodian, registered and gave his 40th donation of blood on Jan. 24, equaling five gallons of blood.
"Carney was extremely excited and contacted the Community Blood Center about his donation," Brinkley said.
"This stemmed a great inspiration to have a blood donor recognition event during the national volunteer week in April."
Schnakenberg said he has been giving blood for 26 years.
"I started donating blood when they had a program that when one person donated blood, the whole family could receive blood," Schnakenberg said. "I think that was 1980, because that is when I started my family.
"I donate two or three times a year, especially when I find out the blood supply is really low. I always encourage my friends and colleagues to donate as well."
Schnakenberg was in a bike accident in 1991 and lost a significant amount of blood.
"I think I would have [gone] into shock from all the blood loss if I hadn't been donating blood for more than ten years," Schnakenberg said.
Brinkley and the Community Blood Center are working toward a campus-wide recognition to honor the achievements of blood donors.
This would include the community members as well.
"We know we want to do something, because this will be a nice way to recognize them and to say thanks," Brinkley said.
"I am thankful to the Human Resources Department for allowing employees to donate while on the clock; also to the Student Activities Office for supporting the blood drive," Schnakenberg said.
"I am going to keep donating as long as I can. I am looking at six gallons now, so that is eight donations. Once you reach a goal, you start looking for the next."
Schnakenberg received a coffee mug through the mail from the Community Blood Center, and they also brought him a cake.
"It was a large cake and my favorite - white cake," Schnakenberg said. "I don't know how they knew that."
The next blood drive is scheduled for April 11 and 12. For more information, contact the Community Blood Center at www.bloodislife.org, or by phone at (888) 647-4040 or (816) 753-4040.
"All the blood that is donated to the center stays in the local area," said Kristie Brinkley, coordinator of volunteer services and nontraditional student services.
Carney Schnakenberg, a non-traditional student and main campus custodian, registered and gave his 40th donation of blood on Jan. 24, equaling five gallons of blood.
"Carney was extremely excited and contacted the Community Blood Center about his donation," Brinkley said.
"This stemmed a great inspiration to have a blood donor recognition event during the national volunteer week in April."
Schnakenberg said he has been giving blood for 26 years.
"I started donating blood when they had a program that when one person donated blood, the whole family could receive blood," Schnakenberg said. "I think that was 1980, because that is when I started my family.
"I donate two or three times a year, especially when I find out the blood supply is really low. I always encourage my friends and colleagues to donate as well."
Schnakenberg was in a bike accident in 1991 and lost a significant amount of blood.
"I think I would have [gone] into shock from all the blood loss if I hadn't been donating blood for more than ten years," Schnakenberg said.
Brinkley and the Community Blood Center are working toward a campus-wide recognition to honor the achievements of blood donors.
This would include the community members as well.
"We know we want to do something, because this will be a nice way to recognize them and to say thanks," Brinkley said.
"I am thankful to the Human Resources Department for allowing employees to donate while on the clock; also to the Student Activities Office for supporting the blood drive," Schnakenberg said.
"I am going to keep donating as long as I can. I am looking at six gallons now, so that is eight donations. Once you reach a goal, you start looking for the next."
Schnakenberg received a coffee mug through the mail from the Community Blood Center, and they also brought him a cake.
"It was a large cake and my favorite - white cake," Schnakenberg said. "I don't know how they knew that."
The next blood drive is scheduled for April 11 and 12. For more information, contact the Community Blood Center at www.bloodislife.org, or by phone at (888) 647-4040 or (816) 753-4040.