BLOOD DONOR HONORED

Giving the gift of life

Paul Renfro, of Carterville, seems like an unlikely hero.

Renfro, born and raised in Monett, went into the construction business with his brother after graduating Monett High School, building houses for 35 years. In 1998, he met his wife, Vickie, and moved to Carterville, commuting to work each day. Four years ago, Renfro left the construction field and began his job at the Kay Concrete terminal in Monett.

If one wonders what it is about this “regular guy” lifestyle qualifies Renfro as a hero — albeit a modest one — it’s because every 56 days, after leaving work, he stops off at the local American Red Cross donation location to “give the gift of life.”

“I have a calendar in my truck with the dates circled, along with the information on the location of each blood drive,” he said. “It always takes place on a Monday, so I donate right before I go to a friend’s house for guy night.”

And while that may seem a trivial thing to some, the fact that Renfro’s total donations of more than 25 gallons, has served more than 75 people facing a medical crisis.

Four types of transfusable products can be derived from blood: red cells, platelets, plasma and cryoprecipitate. Typically, two or three of these are produced from a pint of donated whole blood, and each donation can help save up to three lives.

Blood cannot be manufactured — it can only come from donors. Type 0-negative blood (red cells) can be transfused to patients of all blood types. It is always in great demand during medical emergencies and is often in short supply. Type AB-positive plasma can be transfused to patients of all other blood types. AB plasma is also usually in short supply.

Once collected, blood can be separated into three different components — red cells, plasma or platelets — and utilized in a variety of ways. Just one transfusion dose of platelets can be obtained through one aphaeresis donation of platelets or by combining the platelets derived from five whole blood donations.

Most donated red blood cells must be used within 42 days of collection.

Donated platelets must be used within five days of collection — new donations are constantly needed.

Plasma and cryoprecipitate, used on patients to prevent or control bleeding when their own blood does not clot properly, are stored in a frozen state and can be used for up to one year after collection.

But Renfro has given little thought to all of this behind the scenes work, or the benefits that others receive from his contributions.

“I know my blood has probably helped save someone’s life, but I don’t think about it that way,” he said. “I figure I have blood, and [others] need it.”

Renfro began donating blood when he was young.

“Used to be, you had to be 18 to donate blood,” he said. “But, if you had a parent’s signature, you could start donating at 17. After I turned 17, my parents, who both donated blood, and my dad said the bloodmobile would probably be in town the next day. He just turned to me and said, ‘Your mother will sign for you.’ I really didn’t think about it. He was just very matter of fact, and I have been donating ever since.”

The first time he donated, Renfro had some reservations.

“I wasn’t really nervous — until I saw the size of that needle,” he laughed. “But after the first time, it’s not been an issue. I’ve been fortunate to never have gotten light headed or passed out.”

Renfro said even though he has donated blood all of these years, no one he knows has been a recipient.

“I know my mom had surgery, but I don’t know if she received blood,” he said. “And I know several people who have been in accidents, but never injured to the point that they needed blood. I don’t think I personally know anyone who has received blood.”

But the need is out there. According to statistics from the American Red Cross, more than 38,000 blood donations are

Local blood donor reaches 25-gallon milestone

Paul Renfro

Honored for 25-gallon blood donation

In February 2021, the American Red Cross awarded Paul Renfro, of Carterville, a plaque for reaching the 25-gallon blood donation milestone. The plaque acknowledges Renfro’s continued dedication and unselfish service in giving the gift of life through blood donations. Freedom Bank of Southern Missouri also awarded Paul several items for his dedication to the community. Renfro is the top male donor of the Monett area community blood drive. He is pictured with Donna Beckett, local American Red Cross blood drive chairperson.

needed every day. Although the average red cell transfusion is three pints, some people require more, including patients with sickle cell disease who can require frequent blood transfusions throughout their lives; cancer patients who need daily transfusions throughout the course of their chemotherapy treatments; and car accident victims who can require as many as 100 pints of blood to sustain their lives through surgery and recovery.

Those who donate blood receive a mini-physical prior to each collection. Each donor has their temperature, blood pressure, pulse and hemoglobin checked to ensure it is safe for that person to give blood. All donated blood is tested for HIV, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and other infectious diseases before it can be released to hospitals.

“I’ve been turned away a few times,” Renfro said. “Sometimes my pulse was too high — that’s how I found out I had high blood pressure — or my temp. Sometimes, I’m low on iron. If I had been able to give every time I went, I’d probably be close to 27 gallons by now.

“I think a lot of people donate because they see it does save lives and they saw the need,” he said. “That wasn’t the case with me. My dad said, ‘Go give blood,’ so I did. It wasn’t some earth-shattering experience that caused me to donate and to continue donating.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Renfro said everyone donated that first month.

“The Red Cross gave us the option to make an appointment so we could be taken back at a set time,” he said. “I have taken advantage of that, so I don’t have to wait an hour or more. It’s better for me that way.”

There is no evidence to suggest that donating blood is harmful to an individual. The short term impact of donating actually spurs the person’s blood marrow into producing red cells at an astounding rate. The donor’s bone marrow has received the message that overall oxygen levels are lower due to the loss of red cells and has increased the output of stem cells, which eventually become either red cells, white cells, or platelets.

After the local blood bank requirements are filled, excess blood can be shipped to other areas to help fill shortages around the country or around the world.

“Once they take it, the blood can go anywhere,” Renfro said. “I occasionally get an e-mail that tells me that local demand has been met so my blood has been sent to Texas or New York. It’s interesting to think about that sometimes.”

Renfro has aspirations to hit the 30- to 35-gallon milestones, but there are other benefits as well.

“As long as my health holds out, I will continue to go,” he said. “The cookies they give you after are definitely a bonus. They served homemade cookies until the pandemic hit, and then switched to packaged ones. Last month, the homemade cookies were back. That was good.” n

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The Story of Millie Grace

A month or so ago, I wrote about another way everyone can volunteer and help our pet population - transports. On January 27th, I received a text asking if I could do the first leg of a transport to the greater St. Louis area. At first I was inclined to decline, I had just completed two other transports, and then I read the history. A Rottweiler puppy about 3 months old, was found by a young woman when she heard whimpers outside. The pup was caught in a trap with both legs. The young woman took the pup to a vet, received some pain medicine and antibiotics, but was unable to pay for more extensive treatment, so she contacted an ACO for help. Long story short, after publishing the pup’s plight on Facebook, SOAR (Stray and Orphaned Animal Rescue in O’Fallon, Mo.) ‘tagged’ the pup (agreed to take it into the rescue) and the transport logistics were started. A picture had been added to the Facebook post, showing her swollen paws and a couple of open wounds on her head — I couldn’t say no. Millie Grace on Feb. 2, 2022

I was scheduled to do the first leg the morning of January 28th, meeting the finder in Marionville and taking her to the next transporter in Springfield. We settled her in a large kennel, wrapped her in soft blankets, trying to keep her comfortable and warm. The poor pup was a little scared, but she never complained and within a few minutes settled down and went to sleep. We took extra precautions and did a ‘no paws on the ground’ transport because she had not been fully vaccinated and Parvo is still rampant. By the time she was about halfway to her destination, we realized she needed help fast. She had somehow opened up one of her wounds a little and had bled a bit and was pretty lethargic. It was at this point that Meredith, one of the transporters, suggested we name the pup ‘Grace because it was by the grace of God she was found and it will be his grace that pulls her through. It was unanimous! Grace went directly to SOAR and to her foster mom, Jamie, who rushed her to the vet for examination and when the vet office closed, took her to the Emergency Clinic in Winghaven for fluids, and IV antibiotics, as well as cleaning the old head wound and checking circulation. Christine, who is SOAR Director, told them to do any and everything possible. The examination showed Millie was critical and needed to be hospitalized, the good news was no Parvo, and no broken bones, however, she did have worms and ticks, which were treated, an old head wound that was cleaned and her right paw had deep puncture wounds. The left leg was cold to the touch, meaning there was no blood flowing, and no circulation; and of course there was swelling. The veterinarian worked the legs while she was under sedation, to increase circulation and they thought they were looking better. Jamie, the foster, mentioned her kids wanted to name her Millie, so she is now Millie Grace on her vet docs. No arguments from any of us!

Scan the QR Code to read more Rescued, My Favorite Breed online

Jan. 29, 2022: Jamie said she slept in the pen with Millie Grace last night and that she did great, what dedication! She’s very sleepy from the meds still but she ate her breakfast and took her meds like a champ! Both front paws are swollen though and they might be septic. Jamie massaged the right paw as gently as possible and put warm wraps on it. The vet today didn’t seem hopeful about her keeping her paw, so Jamie told her she would just keep hoping it heals. Jan. 30, 2022: Michelle from SOAR reported Millie Grace will be having her left leg amputated on January 31, because it was obvious there is no way it can be saved. The tissue below where the trap caught her is dead. She is not in pain and eating and drinking well. Plus, she is enjoying being kissed and petted. She had her first tail wag the previous night. She is on lots of pain meds and is very sleepy, but when she is awake, ‘she is such a doll’. Jan. 31, 2022: She was the last surgery of the day. Michelle said they just heard that the surgery was successful and everything went wonderful - she did great. Feb. 1, 2022: Jamie: “Her other paw is not doing well. She started laser therapy to try to help reduce the inflammation and promote healing. She is able to get around though on her 3 legs. Hoping that this paw doesn’t turn for the worse. How amazing that she is already adjusting to her 3 legs.” February 2, 2022: Jamie: ‘When I’m working at my desk she’s in the pen behind me. She lays there and just stares at me. It’s so stinking sweet’. (Is Jamie falling in love?) February 3, 2022 - winter storm: Jamie: “There is a sore starting on her paw and the vet isn’t open (due to weather) to do her laser therapy. We tried to find one and all are closed.” We are massaging her leg and paw to promote blood flow. Hoping the vet is open tomorrow so she can get her laser treatment too to help with it. Jamie did a little “then and now” picture of when she arrived at my house and yesterday. Feb 4, 2022: Jamie: “She went in today for her therapy. Vet is still concerned with two toes on her paw. They are still pretty hard and have sores. The vet has me now also doing a soak on her paw 3x a day to see if that will possibly help. She doesn’t mind the soaks at all, luckily. See picture with cone.” Feb 5, 2022: Jamie: “Her amputation incision is healing great. Her toes are still not doing good. She has 3 more therapy sessions. She is cuddling with Seeley, my big dog.” Feb. 6, 2022 (Sunday) no news: All of us were holding our breaths until we got an update each day, were sad that the leg had to be amputated, but pets are resilient and losing a leg doesn’t slow them down. So now we are hoping and praying that Millie Grace’s right paw can be saved and that she will find a forever home soon. Feb. 8, 2022: Millie Grace is having a bad day, her bone was exposed and the nail was dangling off. Back to the vet to have the nail removed. She will need vet visits for several days to change bandage until her bone is no longer exposed. Wishing for a wheel chair. Well, that wish got things going, the foster mom’s husband bought materials to build one, the Monett ACO found one from SAM, the cat rescue that does spay and neuters of feral cats. Feb. 9, 2022: Donations were made for the materials that the foster family purchased. The vet was very pleased with her toes and said that new tissue is already growing back. Hoping she will be able to keep the front leg. The wheel chair will be on its way on Saturday with a transport going that way. We hear of horrible stories about animal abuse and unfortunately, that is still happening, but on the other hand, there is a world of volunteers and rescue workers who sincerely love pets and are willing to spend time and money to save animals who have had a rough start. I want to say a big thank you to Candace, the finder; the ACO for helping with contact and rescue; Eve, who arranged rescue and transport; Sarah, Mike and Meredith, transporters; Christine and Michelle, SOAR; and most of all Jamie and Justin, foster parents, who have dedicated their time and love to the little pup named Millie Grace. This baby girl could not have survived without the support from everyone.

Scan the QR Code to go to Facebook and donate to Millie Grace’s care

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Show Me Hope @ The Clark Center

2021 was rough. Show Me Hope at the Clark Center is connected to resources for financial help, mental health help, and self-care. The program is free and confidential. Programs are created to assist our communities with the ability to recover from the grief, uncertainty and frustration of recent times. We are here to listen and help. Anyone in the community with concerns about their recovery, or that of another individual or group is encouraged to call and seek assistance. Points of focus for Show Me Hope are resiliency,

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