West Branch Lions Club conducting bone marrow donor drive in honor of longtime coach, teacher Butch Pedersen

The drive will be held December 7 at West Branch High School

Nov. 23, 2022 4:37 pm, Updated: Nov. 23, 2022 5:17 pm

West Branch Bears head coach Butch Pedersen watches the first half of the West Branch vs. Van Meter game from the sideline with his son Lance Pedersen during the class 1A state football semifinals at the UNI Dome in Cedar Falls, Iowa on Friday, November 11, 2022. (Savannah Blake/The Gazette)

CEDAR RAPIDS — The West Branch Lions Club will host a bone marrow donor drive in support of longtime teacher and coach Butch Pedersen at the high school Wednesday, Dec. 7.

The drive will be conducted from 5 to 8 p.m., the hope being a match will be found for Pedersen and others with blood cancers. Pedersen has been diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome and needs a bone marrow transplant as part of his treatment.

Pedersen has been West Branch’s head football coach since 1983 and has coached other sports at the school. He has continued to teach at the school on a substitute basis, even upon retirement.

“When the Pedersen family approached our club about helping out, the support was unanimous,” Lions Club President Greg Humrichouse said in a press release. “Coach Pedersen has impacted so many lives in the community; this is a way we can help him in his fight.”

Ideal bone marrow transplant candidates are 18 to 40 years old and must spend 20 to 30 hours over several weeks to complete the process. Those who choose to participate in the school’s drive will fill out an online form and then have their cheek swabbed to determine a possible match with Pedersen.

The West Branch Lions Club has more information.

Comments: (319)-398-8258, jeff.johnson@thegazette.com