Mona Shield Payne
Sunday, Aug. 3, 2014 | 2 a.m.
On blood drive Sundays, Carol Von Eschen rises before dawn to make sure the coffee pot at New Song Church in Henderson is brewing by 6 a.m.
She’s there to serve the “frequent flow-ers.”
DO YOU KNOW AN ANGEL?
In Angels in the Valley, an occasional series, we profile individuals who’ve made a difference in the lives of others and deserve to be recognized for their willingness to help. So if you know an Angel, email [email protected] with details.
They’re the 35 or so blood donors who show up every time, and they’re the key to one of the most prolific church blood-drive campaigns in the valley.
“They passionately want to help the Las Vegas community,” Von Eschen said.
Von Eschen has helped lead the New Song Church drive since 2005. In nine years, the church has hosted 24 blood drives and donated 894 pints.
Blood drives have grown more difficult as regulators added tighter restrictions to keep the supply safe. Even so, New Song has grown from donating 18 pints after its first one-day drive to donating 38 pints after its most recent drive April 6. Church members hit a one-day high of 75 pints in 2013, thanks to a partnership with an Eagle Scout. Another scout also helped organize the church’s two-day blood drive ending Aug. 3.
Von Eschen, 62, moved to Las Vegas in 2004 with a job transfer as a workers’ compensation claims examiner. The blood drive is how she gives back.
Most of the donations go to local hospitals to help Las Vegans.
“What’s better than giving your life’s blood to your community?” Von Eschen said.
As chairwoman of the New Song health and wellness committee, Von Eschen takes the lead on blood drives three times a year. She’s careful to share credit with her team, but she is the one who wears the cape. Literally. Yes, a blood-red cape.
Every Sunday for a month, Von Eschen stands outside the sanctuary doors, wearing the cape and holding a clipboard seeking sign-ups leading to each drive. The tactic works.
“They have to get past me to get out the door,” she laughed.
Join the Discussion:
Check this out for a full explanation of our conversion to the LiveFyre commenting system and instructions on how to sign up for an account.
Full comments policy