Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country | Founded 05-05-05

February 8, 2007 issue

Former Appalachian Student Returns to Serve Watauga

Story by David Anderson, Jr.

Lu Johnson “has two speeds: fast and faster,” said Greg Johnson, her husband of 11 years. After meeting her, few people would disagree with him, but it’s obvious she doesn’t let all that energy go to waste.

“She’s a doer,” added Greg. “She can make things happen.”

For almost seven years now, making things happen is just what Lu Johnson has done, at least when those things are American Red Cross blood drives.

Lu, a 1976 graduate of Appalachian State University, began her career with Red Cross on Valentine’s Day 2000, after working for the Woodmen of the World insurance group. As a senior donor resource development representative, Lu is responsible for organizing and promoting blood drives within an assigned area.

Watauga County recently became part of Lu’s territory, along with Yadkin and Stokes counties. She drives from her home in Greensboro to visit the Boone area several times each month.

“I wish she didn’t travel as much as she does, but she loves Appalachian,” Greg said.

The importance Lu places on her work radiates from her as she counts off dozens of statistics supporting blood donations.

“One in 10 people entering a hospital need blood, and every two seconds someone in the U.S. receives a blood transfusion,” she said. “It’s a wonderful product that comes from us.”

Lu said nearly anyone, as long as s/he is at least 17 years old and weighs 110 pounds or more, can give blood, despite many common misconceptions. New technology also makes giving easier and less draining on eligible donors.

“A little pinch—yeah, it’s invasive; it’s a needle—a little pinch, but think about all of the babies that could be saved by a pint,” Lu said.

She likens donating blood to any other form of exercise that breaks down part of the body to keep it in shape, and cites healthier bone marrow, the tissue that produces blood cells, as a benefit to giving.

“Let people know their bone marrow likes to exercise,” she said. “It likes to make more blood cells.”

To make blood donations as easy and successful as possible, the Red Cross recommends getting a good night’s rest, eating a well-balanced meal and avoiding caffeine and carbonated drinks the day before donating.

Lu said that one of her biggest motivators is the opportunity to continually meet new people from all walks of life.

Sonny Sweet, director of the Watauga County Red Cross, described Lu as vital to the local organization’s success.

“She’s pretty key obviously,” Sweet said. “She’s the local recruiter.”

With blood drives already scheduled in Boone through most of this year, Lu is sure to become a familiar face to area residents.

For more information or to make an appointment to donate, contact the Watauga chapter of the American Red Cross at 828-264-8226.

 

Upcoming Boone Blood Drives

Blood drives are being scheduled throughout Boone nearly every week this year, so there is sure to be a time and place to fit anyone’s schedule.

· Thursday, February 8—10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Wellness Center, 232 Boone Heights Drive

· Thursday, February 22—10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Grandfather and Roan Mountain rooms, Plemmons Student Union, ASU

· Saturday, February 24—12:00 to 4:30 p.m. at Grace Lutheran Church, 115 King Street

· Friday, March 2—9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Watauga High School, 400 High School Drive