OCR Text |
Show Volume XXX Issue IX The Ogden Valley News Page 7 July 15, 2023 Red Cross Urges Community to Give Blood Amid Recent Donation Slump As blood donations lag this summer season, the American Red Cross of Utah is calling on the generosity of the local community to step forward and make life-saving blood donations. Every year, the summer months pose a challenge for maintaining an adequate blood supply due to decreased donation rates, making it crucial for new and returning donors to come forward. With the required 56 days having passed since the popular Snoopy shirt campaign in April, first-time donors who came out for the massively popular T-shirt can once again contribute to this life-saving cause. The Red Cross of Utah saw a remarkable uptick in donations and first-time donors during the spring Snoopy shirt campaign. Those donors are now eligible to give again. “With the required 56-day waiting period to donate blood again now behind them, these individuals have the opportunity to make a significant impact once again,” said Jeremiah Lafranca, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of Utah Greater Salt Lake Chapter. “The Snoopy shirt campaign not only highlighted the importance of blood donation but also demonstrated the enthusiasm and compassion of the community. We encourage these first-time donors, along with regular donors, to schedule appointments and help meet the ongoing need for blood.” Concerning Shortfall - The Red Cross nationwide collected about 26,000 fewer blood donations than were needed in May to meet the demand of patients. Blood donation is a vital component of emergency medical care, routine surgeries, and treatments for patients of all ages. During the summer, blood donations often decrease due to vacations, travel, and other seasonal activities. This decline in donations can strain the blood supply and pose potential challenges for patients in need. “By giving blood, the community can ensure that hospitals and medical centers have the resources necessary to save lives and provide critical care,” Lafranca said. “The only way to obtain transfusable blood is through donations. We rely on the generosity of others to give blood so it’s available when needed,” said Dr. Walter Kelley, Medical Director for the Rocky Mountain Division of the American Red Cross. “Any of us—our friends, family, neighbors—could be in an accident or become ill some day and need a transfusion. Yet, in the U.S., where 62% of the population is eligible to give, only about 3% does.” Ongoing Need for Blood - The Red Cross supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood, collecting about 12,500 blood and 3,000 platelet donations every day to meet demand. “Our donors are literally the life blood for those undergoing medical procedures and treatments at about 2,500 hospitals and transfusion centers nationwide,” Lafranca said. Donors of all blood types—particularly type O, the blood group hospitals use most—are needed now to give blood or platelets to help meet demand. Schedule an appointment today by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Give blood by June 30, and receive a $10 gift card by email, and be automatically entered for a chance to win a backyard theater package, including a projector, screen and smokeless firepit. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/June. Those giving blood July 1-11 will receive an exclusive Red Cross dry bag, while supplies last. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/gifts. About the American Red Cross - The Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members, and their families. The nonprofit organization depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross. Eden Loses Historic Barn This winter’s record snowfall took a toll on many structures here in the Valley. In addition to many garages, out buildings, and even home roofs, the Helen Vilate Froerer Valley saw the collapse of some of the Wilson Valley’s barns. One of these was the historic Wilson barn, located directly east of Valley Elementary on the corner of Highway 166 and Stringtown Road. Below are photos of this barn and a narrative about its history by Nikki Wilson Wolthuis of Eden. ******* Around the year 1868, my great-great-greatgrandfather Frederick Froerer and his wife Elizabeth Sabin Froerer moved with their eight children to Ogden Valley. They were Latter-day Saint pioneers who had joined the church in the 1840s in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They had lived first in Salt Lake City, where their oldest child, my great-great-grandmother, Helen Vilate was born, then in Ogden before finally moving to Eden around the year 1867-1868. In 1872, Helen married David Evans Wilson and, at some point, moved to Ogden. He was an engineer working at the Wheeler Creek sawmill when they met. Later, in 1876, Frederick and Elizabeth purchased 160 acres from the Union Pacific Railroad for $500. This property was located at the end of Stringtown Road in a spot now covered by Pineview Reservoir. It appears that they were already living near or on this property prior to purchasing it. Their history explains that they first built a cabin there and later a framed home that was referred to as “The Green House.” Helen’s husband David Evans Wilson purchased 20 acres of this land, which included a house and barn, sometime between 1876 and 1888. Helen and David were divorced in 1888 and Helen moved back to her land and home and barn in Eden with their five children. It was said that everyone always referred to the barn as “Aunt Helen’s barn.” When Helen died in 1916, her son, my great-grandfather William John Wilson, purchased the home and land from his siblings and raised his family there until around 1935 when Pineview Reservoir was built. My grandfather John Wilson lived and worked on that farm until he was about ten years old. At this time, the family needed to purchase land higher on the benchland. They found fifty-plus acres to purchase about a mile and a half north on Stringtown road where it meets the main road (Highway 166). We were told by my grandfather that they took the barn, “Aunt Helen’s Barn,” apart piece by piece, transported it to the new lot, and put it back together again. The barn has been on this property since 1935 or 1936 when the family moved in. Combined with the time that the barn stood on their old property, the barn could be between 130-150 years old. Now that’s an old barn! After his father William John Wilson died, my grandfather, John Junior Wilson, took over the farm and continued raising Guernsey cows. My dad, Doug Wilson, grew up milking those cows and in the 1970s, after his grandmother Annabelle Fuller Wilson passed away, he and mom moved in and eventually became the new owners of the home and barn. My dad and grandpa continued growing hay after the cows were sold, and my dad still farms the land today. I was very blessed to grow up here. By the time I was born, almost all the animals had been sold, except for a few horses. We were left with old buildings to explore, tractors to ride, a barn rope to swing on, and trees to climb. Aside from the house itself, the barn has always been an important piece of the property. We have worked and played in this barn for six generations and when the roof collapsed this past March after several days of heavy snowfall, it was a big loss to our family. “Helen’s Barn,” known as the “Wilson” barn today. Well over a hundred years old, it collapsed March 31, 2023 under the weight of this year’s heavy snowfall. |