Blood Drive Hosted in Memory of Wes Bolsted

Jen Stroschein and her family hosted a LifeServe Blood Center blood drive in honor of her late father Wes Bolstad on July 15 in Milbank. The drive welcomed over 50 donors including 15 first‑time LifeServe donors: Jan Bauman, Jani Berens, Cheryl Breske, Bradley Buttke, Martin Dietmeier, Roger Hansen, Joyce Hermans, Richard Hermans, Karissa Karels, Jody Kuper, Catherine Sieverson, Susan Stengel, Jennifer Stroschein, Karla Wellnitz, and Gary Wellnitz.

“This incredible group of new donors will help to ensure a stable blood supply for Milbank and more than 40 hospitals across South Dakota,” stated Abby Arneson, territory representative from LifeServe.  LifeServe also recognized milestone donor Sheryl Kesti. Kesti celebrated her two‑gallon donation.

According to Arneson, Stroschein was inspired  to host the drive because she had witnessed the impact of others giving blood to her father and because of her own experience with a blood shortage. She hoped to turn her grief into action. Dori Kuper, Stroschein’s mother, and Brynlee Green, her daughter, also helped to organize the event.

“I had never given blood or even been aware of blood shortage issues until it affected us,” Stroschein said. “My dad was receiving blood products pretty regularly, and towards the end of his journey, he was transported to Sioux Falls. I felt helpless. As a mom and a controller, I’ve always seen myself as a fixer, but this was something I couldn’t fix. One day it popped into my head to donate blood. I Googled it and found a drive just three miles down the road. That was three years ago.”

At the Wes Bolstad Memorial Drive in Milbank:
• 53 donors stepped up
• 50 were eligible to give
• 57 units of blood were collected
• Up to 171 lives could be saved or sustained

“What Jen and her family did to honor Wes was truly remarkable,” said Arneson, “It was a beautiful example of how one family’s love and loss can inspire real, lifesaving action. We hope this becomes a tradition, and more families feel empowered to create good in the face of grief.”

LifeServe invites donors—new and returning—to mark their calendars for October 7. Every drop counts, and every donor makes a difference!

The next Milbank LifeServe Blood Drive will be held Tuesday, October 7, at the Grant County 4‑H Building from Noon until 5:30 p..m.For more information or to schedule your appointment, visit lifeservebloodcenter.org or call 800.287.4903.

Submitted Photos -Jen Bolstad Stroschein