Pals Schedule Blood Donations
This article written by:
Joanne Fox, Journal staff writer - Published September 25th, 2008
They are in a way, blood brothers.
Steve Hetzel of Onawa, Iowa and Gene Hoffman of Sioux City didn't know each other 10 years ago. In fact, it's very possible their paths might have never crossed.
Save for the fact they both decided to donate blood at the same time on the same day.
Hetzel and Hoffman came to the Siouxland Community Blood Bank in January of 1993 to donate. Hetzel had just moved to Siouxland as pastor of Faith Lutheran Church, Onawa. Hoffman, a long-time Sioux City resident, had already been donating.
"We got to talking and next thing you know, we decided the next time we donated, we'd do it together," Hetzel said.
Their camaraderie provides more one-liners than the best comedians on television.
"I thought I'd be dead by now," the 82-year-old Hoffman said in a dead-pan delivery when asked about how long he had been donating blood.
"But don't tell Hollywood," he added. "They'd pester me to death about doing a movie."
"So what have you been up to since we last saw each other?" Hetzel, who worked well as the straight man.
"I don't know," Hoffman said with a sigh, but wasn't allowed to continue.
"It's probably early Alzheimer's" Hetzel proposed. "That'll work well when you go to the home because you know they let the Alzheimer's patients hide their own Easter eggs."
As the phlebotomists hovered around the pair, adjusting monitors and tubes, both men teased them as well.
"Did you find a rusty one for me?" Hetzel requested, even after a needle was injected.
"Those barbed ones, like a fish hook, work really well," Hoffman added.
"I'm real pleased with everything here today," Hetzel mused. "They didn't need three people to poke me or hold me down."
Even as the staff rolled their eyes and smiled at their good-natured ribbing, the team of Hetzel and Hoffman didn't let up.
"I think they might prefer we don't donate together, actually," Hetzel said, in somewhat of a questioning mode.
"They might," Hoffman added. "It does get tough to break in new people."
When not trying their comedy routine out on new folks, Hetzel and Hoffman will talk about commonalities in their lives.
"We're almost brothers," the 59-year-old Hetzel said.
"Closer to father-son," Hoffman said, pointing out the 23-year age difference.
They both espouse to be politically conservative, although Hoffman was quick to clarify that even his car "turned right."
Although both are Lutherans, Hetzel is the pastor of an ELCA church and Hoffman attends a Missouri Synod Lutheran church.
Almost simultaneously they both said, "But I could change that" of the other's religious beliefs.
"We haven't thrown any punches yet," Hoffman said in between the laughs.
"I don't know how we could anyway," he added, "with all of this equipment we're hooked up to."
"We haven't been violent," Hetzel reassured. "Yet."
And in reality, once they have completed donating blood, the men go their separate ways. Hetzel tends to the needs of his parishioners. Hoffman, although retired since 1986, claimed to be busier than when he was employed.
So why make that extra effort to share the blood donation experience?
"It's about life," Hoffman said, clearly serious.
"The staff treats us so very well here," Hetzel added.
"We may have fun, but I think we both feel obligated to give," said Hoffman, who is O Negative. "It's that important."
"I think we're also both so very thankful that we can give." pointed out Hetzel, who is A positive.
The pair also donates double red cell collection, platelets and plasma. Just recently, Hetzel and Hoffman both celebrated their 35-gallon donation mark.
"I know one place where my blood did go," Hoffman said. "When my older brother needed a pacemaker, I was a match for him."
"It's my understanding my blood might be going to Texas to help with hurricane efforts," Hetzel said. "I also heard they might send blood to Iraq. That's really gratifying to hear."
But just to make sure that they hadn't strayed to far away from their light-heartedness, they had some final jabs for the staff.
"We love to needle the girls here," Hetzel said, amidst the groans.
"We just hope they're not slow pokes," Hoffman added with a grin, as most everyone shook their heads.
You can make a new friend, too
Where: Siouxland Community Blood Bank, 1019 Jones St.
When: Monday-Thursday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.
Who: Must be at least 17 years old; weigh at least 110 pounds; general good health; not donated in last 56 days
How: Whole blood collection; double red cell collection; platelet collection; plasma; rare donor program; pediatric partners; autologous collection (donating one's own blood before elective surgery)
Call: 252-4208 or Visit: www.siouxlandbloodbank.org
