Shabram Gives Blood For Over 40 Years

By Natalie Bruzon
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Giving blood may be something most be people do a few times, but Rita Shabram has made a habit of giving every chance she gets. 

For the past 46 years, Shabram has diligently donated blood, even driving to Neligh and Plainview before Orchard started hosting blood drives. 

“My first time giving was in 1970. I was student at Wayne state College and the dorms challenged other dorms. I then drove to Neligh and Plainview to donate until Orchard started hosting them. I served as co-chair for the bloodmobile in Orchard in the late 70’s to early 80’s with my sister-in-law, Connie Thelander.”

Shabram said her inspiration to give is due in part to the late Francis Sawyer, who donated into her 80s, and her sister-in-law Marian Shabram. 

Marian Shabram was not only the chairman for Neligh’s bloodmobile, but also received blood when she was shot in 2008 outside of an Omaha hospital. 
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“Marian served as Neligh’s bloodmobile chairman for several years, and in 2008, received several units of blood after being shot in Omaha while visiting her husband, LeRoy, a patient at Immanuel Lutheran Hospital,” said Shabram. “Just the thought of doing something good is why I donate on a regular basis, but knowing I could be saving someone’s life is the main reason for giving. It just feels good to give”