Active Red Cross members face the first blood donation appointment in two years
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For two years there was no opportunity to donate blood in Heusenstamm. “We just didn’t have enough active people and helpers to manage such an event,” says Michael Kemmerer, who has been chairman of the Heusenstammer local association in the German Red Cross (DRK) for nine years. But that has now changed. Last week, 53 volunteers were able to donate their blood to other people in the sports hall of the Otto Hahn School.
Heusenstamm – The local association has existed in the castle town since 1935. Recently, however, it had become a bit quiet around the volunteer paramedics and rescuers. Although the remaining eight active were still able to offer medical services at events, this was largely eliminated last year due to the pandemic. They were and are still active as part of the first care train in the Offenbach district, most recently on Good Friday when a large campaign was carried out to search for a missing person in Zeppelinheim – successfully, by the way.
But then two young people registered with the local DRK association because they wanted to be trained and participate. “And as is often the case, someone brings you along and so on,” explains Michael Kemmerer. There are now 17 active people and four young people who still want to complete the necessary training. “Unfortunately, that still has to wait until face-to-face lessons are possible again.”
Because in their accommodation at Eisenbahnstrasse 11, the active members are currently not allowed to meet for training. But that does not mean that the DRK members are not learning anything. “Every Thursday we hold training meetings via video conference, usually together with other local associations,” reports the chairman.
Heusenstamm: DRK local association wants to buy ambulances
Michael Kemmerer is a little worried about the parking space for the two vehicles of the local association, including one that was purchased for disaster control. The two crew cars are currently in a hall of the old building yard on Ostendstrasse. But at the latest when this is to be demolished, you need another parking space. In the discussion about the future development of the site, nobody has spoken about this problem so far, the 59-year-old confirms. As reported, last year the magistrate presented plans to build a new residential area on the site.
The blood donation appointments should now take place regularly again. A call has been launched to find volunteers to donate blood. To their surprise, twelve volunteers volunteered. Five of them supported the local association and the blood donation service last week. “In the future – if the pandemic situation allows it again – we can organize blood donations without the active involvement,” says Michael Kemmerer.
But the Red Cross people from the castle town have big plans in other respects as well. Above all, they want to buy an ambulance again. The predecessor was an ambulance that had simply become too expensive. The vehicle had to be checked once a year, and medicines and devices that were stored in it had to be checked and replaced on a regular basis. In order to be able to purchase a KTW, however, the local club needs at least 50,000 euros. The active members are currently discussing a fundraising campaign.
Heusenstamm: DRK local association wants first drone squadron in Offenbach district
In addition, the younger Rotkreuzler from Heusenstamm want to found the first drone squadron in the Offenbach district. Such drones can be used, for example, to support searches, explains Michael Kemmerer.
On the newly designed website of the local association (drkheusenstamm.de), the active members prove that they can handle such mini-helicopters with cameras well. Visitors to the homepage are greeted by a film that was recorded with such a drone. Anyone who is interested in the DRK in Heusenstamm can contact the active members without obligation by sending an email to [email protected]. (By Claudia Bechthold)
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