VERSAILLES, Ohio – The milestones are many since the Poultry Days Committee joined forces with the Steve Knapke family for a Versailles community blood drive in 2017.
They weathered a pandemic together, Poultry Days rebounded to set new sales records, nearly 1,000 donors saved countless lives, and Steve’s family grew by three new grandsons.
The sixth annual Poultry Days Committee and Steve Knapke Memorial Blood Drive on Sept. 19 totaled 126 donors, including 115 whole blood and 11 platelet and plasma donors for 109% of collection goal. In six years, the blood drive has totaled 964 donors.
Steve Knapke was inspired to become a blood donor after surviving a 1988 auto accident. He began giving platelets and had 81 lifetime donations. In 2016, another accident, also caused by an impaired driver, claimed his life.
The Knapke family and Poultry Days volunteers couldn’t welcome donors in 2020 but it was full reunion at this year’s blood drive. “My kids are great, they loved their dad,” said Lois Knapke.
She was joined by daughters Rachel Durham, Lisa DeRenzo, Emmy D’Antonio, son Doug, his wife Megan and their four boys. The oldest Henry was a year old when Steve died. Three grandsons have followed, including three-month old William.
“The first time my dad was in an accident he used blood,” said Doug. “It became a priority for him to give every six weeks. It was valuable to him.”
“He didn’t talk about it,” said Rachel. “We learned late the importance of what he was doing. People move on and forget. We don’t want them to forget. It’s not just because of dad’s memory, it’s to give blood.”
COVID cancelled most of Poultry Days in 2020, with the parade replaced by a traffic jam for drive-thru chicken pick-up. The festival bounced back with record sales the last two summers, allowing the committee to continue supporting Versailles Heritage Park and 20 non-profit organizations.
“It’s wonderful to see so many people come out,” said Poultry Days Committee member Nicole Mead who began volunteering at the blood drives just as the pandemic began. “When I first started, everything was kept back to not be contaminated because of COVID.”
In 2021 Steve’s daughter Emmy was diagnosed with leukemia and receive multiple blood transfusions, including platelets. She and her sister Lisa talked about Steve’s legacy as a platelet donor.
“He was proud of it,” said Emmy. “It’s what he loved, giving blood,” said Lisa. “It’s a way to keep his memory alive.”
Blood donation requirements: Donors are required to provide a photo ID that includes their full name. Past CBC donors are also asked to bring their CBC donor ID card. Donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 years old with parental consent: form available at www.givingblood.org or at the Dayton CBC and mobile blood drive locations), weigh a minimum of 110 pounds (you may have to weigh more depending on your height), and be in good physical health. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) changes blood donor eligibility guidelines periodically. Individuals with eligibility questions can email canidonate@cbccts.org or call (937) 461-3220. Make an appointment at www.DonorTime.com.
Community Blood Center/Community Tissue Services® is an independent, not-for-profit organization. Community Blood Center provides blood products to partner hospitals and health centers within its 15-county service area of western Ohio and eastern Indiana and to select hospitals and blood centers outside the region. For more information visit www.givingblood.org.