Earlier this year, Kate Cummings’ second-graders were learning about nineteenth-century humanitarian, educator, and civil rights advocate Clara Barton, who founded the American Red Cross and served as its leader for 25 years.
“We were talking about important people in the world, and in our discussions of Clara Barton, we went over what the Red Cross does,” Cummings recalls. “I told my students that I donate blood when I can, and of course they had so many questions about that.”
Cummings, a Ledyard teacher who’s been a blood donor since her teens, found that she had some personal time that wouldn’t carry over into the next school year. When she learned CEA was hosting its first-ever blood drive in late January, she knew exactly when and where she wanted to spend some of that time.
“I talked to my principal about taking a half-day to come out here to donate and volunteer,” she said, “and he was very excited. Being here at CEA makes it extra special, and with so much need and everything going on right now—between fires and hurricanes—doing my part makes me feel good.”
Ledyard teacher Kate Cummings made the trip up to Hartford to give blood. With all the need that exists in the world, “Doing my part makes me feel good,” she says.
Cummings was one of dozens of donors and volunteers at CEA’s blood drive on January 28. The event was organized by CEA Legal Counsel Melanie Kolek, who chairs the organization’s Safety & Health Committee, together with committee member and CEA Vice President Joslyn DeLancey—both regular donors.
“There’s a critical blood shortage, and we knew that hosting a blood drive in our building would open up a lot of opportunities for people to participate,” says DeLancey. “With the legislature in session across the street, this is a busy time in Hartford. Creating a space that’s easy to get to was important for us.”
CEA’s third-floor conference room was transformed into a donation center for a day, and donors were offered free parking, snacks and beverages, a discounted lunch at Jerry’s—which operates a cafeteria in CEA’s building—and $15 gift cards for participating. In addition, Jerry’s donated 20 percent of its proceeds that day to the American Red Cross.
Giving back
To honor those who give blood as well as encourage others to do the same, January is National Blood Donor Month.
“Donations tend to decrease after the winter holidays,” Kolek explains, “but the need for blood remains constant.”
Born in the late winter herself, Kolek says she was saved by the American Red Cross when she was just eight hours old.
“I was born with jaundice and rushed from one hospital to Yale’s neonatal intensive care unit,” she shares. “There, doctors told my parents they had never seen bilirubin levels that high without brain damage.”
CEA Vice President Joslyn DeLancey spoke with Fox 61 about the blood drive. Watch the news coverage.
Moved to help in some way, Kolek’s uncle organized a group of friends to donate blood, and Kolek herself is now a longtime donor.
“We joke in my family that it’s ‘in the blood,’” she says.
Kolek and DeLancey were joined by CEA staff who donated blood and volunteered their time greeting and checking in registered donors and walk-ins, explaining the process, distributing snacks and water, and more.
“Giving blood has always been important to me,” says CEA Training and Organizational Development Specialist Katie Grant, a former English teacher in Manchester and a donor since high school. “When I learned I’d have an opportunity here at CEA, I thought I’d take advantage of it.”
Most CEA members were busy in their classrooms the day of the blood drive, and South Windsor High School visual arts teacher Annie Rentz was no exception—but her husband was first on the list of donors that day. An education coordinator with the Connecticut Workers’ Compensation Commission, whose offices are located in CEA’s building, Eric Rentz works one floor up from the blood drive.
“That made it pretty convenient,” he says, adding, “My dad’s a retired Bridgeport firefighter, and he used to donate when his mother was on kidney dialysis. After my father could no longer donate, I started, and now I do it every chance I get.”
Donors also included nearby residents and others who work in the building.
CEA UniServ Associate Donna Babbin was one of many CEA staff members who donated blood.
Kamari Mack, who lives in the neighborhood, passed signs on the sidewalk and was inspired to stop in.
“I thought, I’d like to be able to help someone who needs it,” she says. “It feels like the right thing.”
The blood drive also benefited from the help of CEA-Retired members who gave blood and volunteered their time.
“With an O-negative blood type, I’m a universal donor, so the Red Cross calls me all the time,” said CEA-Retired member Karen DiMenna, who, along with retired colleague and blood drive volunteer Greg Vickers, gave blood in the morning and staffed the registration table all afternoon.
DiMenna, who donates roughly every two months, said she couldn’t pass up a chance to support two worthy organizations in one day—her union and the American Red Cross.
“Donating is a personal preference, and not everyone is able or comfortable with it, but it’s a lifesaving opportunity I enjoy,” says DiMenna. “I would encourage those who are healthy to consider joining me.”
The American Red Cross collected enough pints of blood during CEA’s drive to save as many as 120 lives.
It was a teachable moment too, says Cummings.
“When I told my second-graders I was leaving early to give blood, they asked if I was donating for Clara Barton,” she says with a smile. “I love that they made that connection!”
