Republican blood drive successful

Published 12:00 am Thursday, August 14, 2014

The Rowan County Republican Party’s blood drive on July 8 met its goal of 33 pints of blood collected.
The blood drive was held at High Rock Church.
When he announced the blood drive last month, local GOP Chairman John Leatherman challenged local Democrats to schedule blood drives also and see which party collected the most units.
Red Cross officials said more than half of the donors at the Republicans’ drive said they were there to meet the challenge between the two parties.
“Because of your unselfish work towards your blood drive you have potentially saved up to 99 lives who daily depend on the Red Cross to supply 103 hospitals within our region,” Leatherman said. “I would like to ask that you help spread the word that I would like to see Rowan County double the amount of blood donations throughout this coming year. Thanks so much and I will talk to you soon.”
As head of the local Republican Party, Leatherman said Republicans need to be seen in the community, and “be seen as caring.”
“It’s about participating in good things that will benefit everybody,” Leatherman said. “It is intended to get people doing something and being involved.”
Leatherman is challenging local Democrats to schedule another blood drive to try and bring more blood in.
In the end, the people who need the blood win.
“If the Democrats don’t take the challenge, what does that say?” Leatherman said.