Friday, March 16, 2012 5:53 am

On March 15, 2012, 59 heroes came out to the Lions Memorial Building in Woodbury, rolled up their sleeves, all willing to give the gift of live by donating their blood so that others could live.  

During a time when disasters have plagued the country and on hand supplies becoming low, Cannon County donors answered the call for help.  

The American Red Cross set a goal of 47 units for Cannon County, at the end of the day, 49 units were good collections.  

Of those donating, Xavier Romero obtained a 3 gallon pin, Jennifer Johnson 2 gallon pin and Kaitlynn Gerdes and Jennifer Duggin reached a one gallon mark.  

First time donors to Middle Tennessee were:  Danny M. Freeman, Ivan D. Ledford II, Karen D. Campbell, and Stephen G. Strang.  

Howard Witty donated his 173rd pint and Steve A. Smith donated his 143 pint.  One pint of blood is normally divided into 3 units and each unit can possibility save a life. Between Witty and Smith a possible 948 lives could have been saved.

The following are the 59 local heroes who were willing to donate their blood so that others could live: Jimmy W. Alexander, Stephanie D. Alford, Penny F. Barrett, Cynthia D. Betts, Robert F. Bogard, Ronald F. Born, Brandi R. Brown, Christopher Brushaber, William H. Bryson, Richard D. Burks Sr., Carmella K. Burton, Karen D. Campbell, Gabriel S. Cantrell, Rita F. Cook, Earl G. Cooper Jr., Randal L. Curtis, Jennifer J. Duggin, Hubert W. Duncan Jr., Mary E. Duncan, Russell D. Fann, James D. Ferrell, Danny M. Freeman, Kaitlynn Gerdes, Orval L. Gray, Herbert C. Haley, Glenn Higgins, Rainey Hunt, Debbie Renée Israel, Shannon D. Jett, Christopher Johnson, Jennifer M. Johnson, Judith G. King, Ivan D. Ledford II,  James L. Logan, Perry F. Louden, Amos Merrill McAllister, Tammy M. Mears, Mark Duane Melton, Stephen R. Moss, Tracy A. Parker, Steve R. Perkerson, Gary W. Prater, Janice O. Purvis, Charles David Reed, Walter Reifschneider,  Xavier P. Romero, James Frederick Sabia, Jonathan C. Scurlock, Heidi Lynn Smith, Steve A. Smith, Pamela J. Steakley, Stephen G. Strang, Travis M. Urban, Micki M. Vinson, David Anthony Wilson, Howard W. Witty, Michael L. Witty, Melody K. Wright, and Nile Young.

The Woodbury Lions Club is proud to host the Blood Drives and wants to thank all who came out.

May 17, 2012 will be the next American Red Cross blood drive in Cannon County that is hosted by the Lions Club. This will be a 9 hour drive from 9 am until 6 pm and it will the the annual Donor Appreciation Blood Drive.  We hope to see everyone come out for this drive.