By Emily Massingill
For the Times
MONROE - For Sue Hiltbrand, giving whole blood to perfect strangers is a way of life.
She's been donating almost regularly since the 1970s and says making the trek to Madison about once every eight weeks for the service is just a small, simple thing she can do to help those in need.
Hiltbrand, 59, celebrated on Nov. 30 what many would consider a huge milestone - donating her 14th gallon of blood. But, there was no big celebration - just Hiltbrand, doing what she does every 56 days or so, making a day trip to the American Red Cross on Sheboygan Avenue in Madison and then running other errands while she's in town.
"It's just something I can do because it's not that hard," Hiltbrand said.
Originally a Monticello native, Hiltbrand has called Monroe home for quite some time and has worked at the Woodford State Bank for the past 25 years.
It was in the late 1970s that Hiltbrand donated blood for the first time. She had simply tagged along with her cousin to a bloodmobile event at the Monroe Armory. Hiltbrand admits she was scared to give at first, but realized quickly with the friendly and helpful staff, it would all be just fine.
"I don't like needles, I never look at it when they put it in my arm," Hiltbrand admitted with a laugh. "If I can give, anyone can."
It was the first time she gave that Hiltbrand learned she had a rare blood type, O negative, which is universal and can be given to anyone. The people at the bloodmobile were incredibly encouraging to have Hiltbrand come back to donate.
According to the American Red Cross website, only about 7 percent of people have type O negative blood, the preferred type for accident victims and babies needing exchange transfusions. There is always a need for type O donors because their blood may be transfused to a person of any blood type in an emergency.
Hiltbrand starts the day before she gives whole blood by preparing herself and her body - doing things like simply drinking a lot of water and not over-extending herself physically, which she feels helps prepare her for the blood donation.
Several years ago, Hiltbrand began going to Madison to give blood. She had to give at an American Red Cross blood bank there in order to donate blood directly for her mother's planned hip replacement. Doctors wanted several units on hand and her mother wasn't able to give enough, so she and a cousin gave to help out.
The Madison trip was less hectic than the bloodmobile banks she had been attending whenever she could, so Hiltbrand decided that was how she wanted to give. She could make an appointment and plan her day around her donation, which was something she enjoyed.
Today, Hiltbrand has made close friendships with those who work at the American Red Cross blood bank in Madison, and even exchanges Christmas cards with people there. She goes back as close to every eight weeks as she can.
Those working at the blood bank always encourage her to bring a friend, but Hiltbrand doesn't work aggressively to try and get others to donate. She realizes it's a personal decision for everyone, but she does hope more people will come forward to give.
Hiltbrand is able to give every 56 days and marks her calendar regularly. The only time she hasn't given was during 9-11, because the blood banks had so much blood they couldn't use it all.
Hiltbrand says the experience of giving blood, for her, is a positive one. A quick check in, some history, a quick blood pressure and temperature check before pricking your finger to test for iron and then you can give, she said. The entire process takes about an hour, and the friendly staff always makes the time pass quickly.
Once the donation is finished, donors are welcome to refreshments and snacks and are asked to stick around for about 15 minutes to be sure all is well. Hiltbrand says at local bloodmobiles, often churches or other local businesses will donate foods to have on hand, which is an extra treat.
It's impossible to know how many lives Hiltbrand has helped or maybe even saved over the years, but to her, it doesn't matter. Giving blood has simply become a way of life.
Visit www.redcross-
blood.org to find out where and when the blood mobile will be in your area or to learn more about donating blood.
For the Times
MONROE - For Sue Hiltbrand, giving whole blood to perfect strangers is a way of life.
She's been donating almost regularly since the 1970s and says making the trek to Madison about once every eight weeks for the service is just a small, simple thing she can do to help those in need.
Hiltbrand, 59, celebrated on Nov. 30 what many would consider a huge milestone - donating her 14th gallon of blood. But, there was no big celebration - just Hiltbrand, doing what she does every 56 days or so, making a day trip to the American Red Cross on Sheboygan Avenue in Madison and then running other errands while she's in town.
"It's just something I can do because it's not that hard," Hiltbrand said.
Originally a Monticello native, Hiltbrand has called Monroe home for quite some time and has worked at the Woodford State Bank for the past 25 years.
It was in the late 1970s that Hiltbrand donated blood for the first time. She had simply tagged along with her cousin to a bloodmobile event at the Monroe Armory. Hiltbrand admits she was scared to give at first, but realized quickly with the friendly and helpful staff, it would all be just fine.
"I don't like needles, I never look at it when they put it in my arm," Hiltbrand admitted with a laugh. "If I can give, anyone can."
It was the first time she gave that Hiltbrand learned she had a rare blood type, O negative, which is universal and can be given to anyone. The people at the bloodmobile were incredibly encouraging to have Hiltbrand come back to donate.
According to the American Red Cross website, only about 7 percent of people have type O negative blood, the preferred type for accident victims and babies needing exchange transfusions. There is always a need for type O donors because their blood may be transfused to a person of any blood type in an emergency.
Hiltbrand starts the day before she gives whole blood by preparing herself and her body - doing things like simply drinking a lot of water and not over-extending herself physically, which she feels helps prepare her for the blood donation.
Several years ago, Hiltbrand began going to Madison to give blood. She had to give at an American Red Cross blood bank there in order to donate blood directly for her mother's planned hip replacement. Doctors wanted several units on hand and her mother wasn't able to give enough, so she and a cousin gave to help out.
The Madison trip was less hectic than the bloodmobile banks she had been attending whenever she could, so Hiltbrand decided that was how she wanted to give. She could make an appointment and plan her day around her donation, which was something she enjoyed.
Today, Hiltbrand has made close friendships with those who work at the American Red Cross blood bank in Madison, and even exchanges Christmas cards with people there. She goes back as close to every eight weeks as she can.
Those working at the blood bank always encourage her to bring a friend, but Hiltbrand doesn't work aggressively to try and get others to donate. She realizes it's a personal decision for everyone, but she does hope more people will come forward to give.
Hiltbrand is able to give every 56 days and marks her calendar regularly. The only time she hasn't given was during 9-11, because the blood banks had so much blood they couldn't use it all.
Hiltbrand says the experience of giving blood, for her, is a positive one. A quick check in, some history, a quick blood pressure and temperature check before pricking your finger to test for iron and then you can give, she said. The entire process takes about an hour, and the friendly staff always makes the time pass quickly.
Once the donation is finished, donors are welcome to refreshments and snacks and are asked to stick around for about 15 minutes to be sure all is well. Hiltbrand says at local bloodmobiles, often churches or other local businesses will donate foods to have on hand, which is an extra treat.
It's impossible to know how many lives Hiltbrand has helped or maybe even saved over the years, but to her, it doesn't matter. Giving blood has simply become a way of life.
Visit www.redcross-
blood.org to find out where and when the blood mobile will be in your area or to learn more about donating blood.