Kentucky Tennessee Foundation Mary Shafer Benefit Blood Drive
August 19, 2006
Chattanooga Convention Center

Bo and Mary Shafer give a television interview during the Mary Shafer Benefit Blood Drive

The Kentucky-Tennessee District Kiwanis hosted the first blood drive at a Kiwanis district convention Saturday, Aug. 20 at the 88th annual K-T District Convention at the Chattanooga Convention Center in Chattanooga, Tenn.

The blood drive was held in honor of the Past International Kiwanis President Bo Shafer's wife Mary who has been battling cancer for the past 11 years. In 1995 Mary was diagnosed with breast cancer and after chemotherapy the cancer went into remission. However, in 1998 doctors found cancerous cells yet again in Mary's body. This time it was in her spine.

Since then she has undergone several rounds of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy not only destroys the malignant cells, but it also kills cells that grow at a fast rate-blood cells. As a result, many patients need blood transfusions.

The Kentucky-Tennessee Foundation partnered with Blood Assurance, the regional blood center for southeast Tennessee, north Georgia, western North Carolina and east Alabama, to host a blood drive in honor of Mary at the convention.

"Kiwanis members always support other Kiwanis members," K-T District Governor Mark Garman said. "We are also very involved in partnership in the community. Giving blood to our past International President First Lady is really an honor for me and for Kiwanis."

The Kiwanis blood drive will help to replenish the region's blood supply. Blood Assurance supplies more than 35 hospitals and medical facilities with life-saving blood products.

"It is humbling," Mary said. "I am not worthy. You want to help any cancer patient in any way that you can."

Nearly 300 Kiwanis members attended the four-day convention and Blood Assurance received 51 units from the one-day blood drive. Blood Assurance will make a monetary donation to the Kentucky-Tennessee Kiwanis Foundation.

"Mary is just contributing her name to the cause the benefit will pass through to the foundation in her name," Chief Executive Operator and President of the Blood Assurance and past K-T District governor Leonard Fant said.

The K-T Foundation will award scholarships to 15 deserving high school seniors who are children or grandchildren of active Kiwanis members. Blood Assurance will continue accepting blood donations in honor of Mary this week at all Blood Assurance locations, be sure to mention account number 2131001.

Blood Assurance serves more than 36 hospitals in 31 counties in Tennessee, Alabama, North Carolina and Georgia. Over 375 volunteer blood donors are needed every day to supply area hospitals with the life-saving blood products for their patients. For more information contact Blood Assurance at (800) 962-0628, or visit www.bloodassurance.org. It's About Life!

Kentucky-Tennessee Kiwanian leaders provide support for the Mary Shafer Benefit Blood Drive
Front row, left to right: Paul Cook, Michelle Garman, Mary Shafer and Yvonne Porell
Back row, left to right: Don Canaday, Mark Garman, Rick Scarborough, Bo Shafer, Al Porell and Leonard Fant


First Lady Michelle and Governor Mark Garman donate blood at the district convention while Leonard Fant, CEO and President of the Blood Assurance and past K-T District governor, provides encouragement.

Four Kiwanians take their turn at providing blood during the Mary Shafer Benefit Blood Drive


K-T District Governor Mark Garman boards the Blood Assurance Vein Voyager bloodmobile.

Past Kiwanis International President Bo Shafer and First Lady Mary Shafer spread the message about the need for blood donations during the Kentucky-Tennessee District Mary Shafer Benefit Blood Drive

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