On September 23, 2014 Tuesday evening, members of the Sinclair Baseball team put in time and effort to drive to the Community Blood Center to donate blood.
Every year Coach Stephen Dinatman takes his players to donate blood at the local blood donation center. This annual event has a lot of impact on patients in the Dayton area, and had the 2014 defending OCCAC regular season champions doing more than just playing baseball, they were hitting homeruns in many positive ways.
“I will also do a blood drive and encourage my players to save lives and to be lifetime blood donors. It’s important to educate people on the process of donating and how important it is to a community. Their donations could help save a stranger, a friend, or a family members life, and hopefully if they needed blood, someone would do the same for them,” said Coach Dintaman.
It is estimated that each person can save 3 lives with just one donation. Millions of patients need blood transfusions each year in the U.S. and Canada, and someone needs blood every two to three seconds which is one reason why this issue hits so close to home with Coach Dintaman.
“It’s a nice feeling to leave here knowing that you helped save three lives. It’s great if you can step up to the plate – no pun intended,” said Dintaman.
In 2007, an all-conference pitcher underwent a by tonsillectomy during the summer and was fighting for his life. During repairs to the artery his carotid artery was nicked and he nearly bled to death on two separate occasions. Coach Dinatman has understood the critical conditions that occurred, and the importance of blood donation after watching his player recover.
Fall is a very busy season with practice games, scouting and also weightlifting. It is rare for the team to have Tuesdays off, but it was a great day to spend at the Community Blood Center.
The 20 players who donated blood were Mason Aelker, Austin Eads, Zach Griffin, Ben Myers, Travis Rowland, Daniel Sexton, Jordan Allen, Andrew Holderman, Connor Clearly, Eric Hansman, Daniel O’Keefe, Alec Turner, Will Marable, Ty Amann, Tyler Cowles, Alex Youn, Keenan Carter, Billy Kidd, Kyle Sheperd and Adante Warren.
This wasn’t just a regular Tuesday for our Tartans, because many lives were not only changed but also saved.