LifeServe Blood Center is a sole provider to over 100 hospitals in Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota and are responding to a “critical” need for blood. This Friday, July 16, residents of the Carroll area will be answering that call during a special blood drive at the Carrolton Inn. LifeServe has selected this region because of the overwhelming response they receive, and there is a local woman who made it her mission to encourage and support every single drive. Shirley Tomka was a lifelong Carroll County resident, growing up in Templeton and moving to a farm between Arcadia and Halbur with her husband, Vic, where they spent the past 45 years. Tomka also served 43 years as a nurse, more than 20 of those with St. Anthony Regional Hospital as well as with the Red Cross and at Pella in Carroll. Her daughter, Sara Anderson, says they, unfortunately, lost her early this year.
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Tomka was an avid donor and her family decided to research just how much blood she had given in her lifetime. Turns out, Tomka didn’t just talk the talk.
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Anderson says she found out she was at 64 units and her father at 25. She also encouraged her two sons, 18 and 17, to donate blood. LifeServe calls donating “a selfless act,” and Anderson says that was her mother, 100 percent, so when they heard of this Friday’s drive, a conversation was started within the family about how this could be a tribute to their mother and that giving nature.
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The seven include Anderson, her father, a brother and his wife, another sister-in-law and two of Tomka’s three grandchildren who are eligible to donate. Anderson says some of the most vivid memories she has of her mother are those of her encouraging others to give the gift of life. Shirley Tomka, she says, had a “bigger-than-life” personality and touched so many lives. She truly was, and continues to be, an inspiration.
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Everyone is asked to follow Tomka’s lead and be a “top” donor in support of our local hospitals, family members, friends and neighbors. There are still spots open at Friday’s drive, which is being held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Appointments are required and can be made through the link included below or by calling Carroll Broadcasting at 792-4321.
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To book an appointment for Friday: https://donor.lifeservebloodcenter.org/donor/schedules/drive_schedule/172068
Shirley Tomka family members who will be donating at this drive:
- Vic Tomka, Jr. Husband
- Sara Anderson Daughter
- Mike Tomka Son
- Angie Tomka Daughter-in-law
- Olivia Tomka Granddaughter and first-time donor
- Ben Nielsen Grandson
- Kelly Tomka Daughter-in-law