Cheney Girl Scouts work hits close to home

The five girls of Cheney Girl Scouts Troop 5110 want to earn the highest honor possible in Scouting - a bronze award.

To do that, they must finish a project that impacts their community, and the one they picked impacts about as close to home as you can get - urging people to become blood donors.

The girls, Chloe Kelton, Ella Mizzoni, Daylynn Newbill and Alexsandra and Lydia Swenson, witnessed the urgent need for blood first-hand through Newbill's mom, Theresa Fochtman. Fochtman developed problems with her colon and small intestine last year, undergoing a number of colorectal surgeries including removing her colon and a reattachment of her small intestine.

Fochtman underwent seven surgeries in 11 months, six from March - October 2017, with her final one on Jan. 25 of this year. Three days after she returned home, she started bleeding as the reattached portion of her small intestine wouldn't clot correctly.

Fochtman lost a lot of blood, and needed transfusions to battle her anemia.

"A blood level of 13 or higher is healthy," she said, adding her current level on May 14 was 11.7. But at one point a couple months ago, it was a six.

"When you get to seven, that's blood transfusion time."

Troop leader Jessica Swenson said Fochtman has undergone about 10 complete transfusions since December, many following her January surgery. During this timeframe, the five girls put aside other project ideas, and focused on one.

"For the bronze award and for the need for blood in the area," Kelton said.

"If she hadn't had multiple (transfusions), she wouldn't have been here," Alexsandra Swenson said of Fochtman. "It wouldn't have been good. It would've been sad."

The troop contacted officials with the Inland Northwest Blood Center and began to learn about the need for the lifesaving hemoglobin. One statistics the girls recited - also contained in INBC literature - is that worldwide, someone needs blood every two seconds.

Additionally, one donation - which takes less than an hour - can save three lives. And, red blood cells have a shelf-life of only 42 days.

There is also a "special need" for O-type blood donors to give double red cell donations as O-negative, the most common type, can be transfused to anyone, regardless of the patient's type.

The troop has learned a lot about blood and how it's used. Alexsandra Swenson said they interviewed officials at the INBC, finding out all about whole blood, plasma and platelet's, as well as an emergency room technician to see how blood is used. They also will tour the INBC blood bank to see how it's stored.

The troop members had to put in more than 20 hours of work for the bronze award, and they've likely surpassed that. Kelton said they passed out flyers about the drive during the cookie season, and put up others around Cheney.

They also staffed a lemonade stand at last Saturday's Mayfest, signing up 14 of the 18 donors needed to bring the INBC bus to Cheney's Marketplace Bakery & Eatery May 21. There are four confirmed slots still available, although anyone can walk up from 3:45 – 6 p.m. Reservations can be made by calling Jessica Swenson at (603) 285-5314 or online at Swenson.jessica@gmail.com.

"If we are full (reservations and walk ups) they will take their names for the next one (blood drive)," Swenson said.

Donors who come May 21 will receive a free total cholesterol test on a sample of their donation, with results available seven days later. They'll also be treated with some Girl Scout cookies - in case they missed out on the annual sale.

Most importantly, they'll see what five young girls are doing to make an impact in their community.

"We're teaching it," Alexsandra Swenson said.

Girl Scouts Troop 5110 Blood Drive in support of Theresa Fochtman

Date: Monday, May 21

Time: 3:45 – 6 p.m.

Place: Market Place Bakery & Eatery

1011 First St.

John McCallum can be reached at jmac@cheneyfreepress.com.