Books for blood

A sled dog named Solo could be vitally important in raising awareness of the Blood Bank of Alaska.

Marianne Schlegelmilch, the executive director of the Blood Bank of Alaska's Mat-Su branch, recently completed the book Solo Flite: An Alaska Puppy Becomes a Legend. Unlike many other books, however, with this one, the author won't see a cent.

"All of the proceeds go to the Blood Bank of Alaska, and a small portion of the proceeds go to the Joe Redington Sr. Museum," Schlegelmilch said. "I think it is really cool that this was all done by Blood Bank of Alaska people."

The illustrations were done by David W. Large Jr., who is the Blood Bank of Alaska's community coordinator and graphic artist. He earned his bachelor of art's degree in illustration from the University of Alaska Anchorage.

The book was published by the Blood Bank of Alaska, and is being marketed by the same group. From start to finish, the Blood Bank of Alaska is behind the project, something Schlegelmilch is proud of.

"We worked as a team to come up with the book and to make it happen," Schlegelmilch said. "It's a unique way to raise money for the blood bank. I don't know how many other fund-raising books there are out there."

This is the first book Schlegelmilch has authored, although she is hardly a novice when it comes to writing.

"I've written for fun all my life, but I've never written a book that was published like this," Schlegelmilch said. "All of my friends have things I've written."

The book idea got started out of a conversation from a coworker. He wanted to do a story about a sled dog, told from the dog's perspective.

He ultimately left the blood bank, but the idea stuck with Schlegelmilch, and she continued to write the story, using her dog Solo as the leading character's name.

"It was a real family affair. Solo gave me ideas, and so did my husband [Bill Schlegelmilch]. We had a lot of fun writing it," Schlegelmilch said.

As any aspiring author can attest, finishing a book and having it published are two entirely different things. Schlegelmilch found that out as well.

"At one point, you wonder if it is going to happen at all," Schlegelmilch. "I went to our marketing person and gave them the story and it came together."

The book details the life of Solo Flite, who was adopted by Joe Redington Sr. They were separated after a plane crash, and Solo was found by a man named Harry Conroy, who took Solo to his kennel outside Fairbanks. It was there that Solo became a sled dog, and Solo ends up leading the team into Nome to finish the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race.

The connection between the Blood Bank of Alaska and the Redington family is a close one. Joe Redington Sr. came up with the idea of carrying envelopes on the trail to Nome for the blood bank, and then selling them as race souvenirs, with the money going to the blood bank, or giving them to blood donors.

That tradition can be found in the book as well. There is a dedication page, which can be torn out and framed, that was signed by 16 of the leading mushers, including Martin Buser, DeeDee Jonrowe, Linwood Fiedler, Doug Swingley, Jeff King and Rick Swenson.

Each one of the mushers carried the tribute page in their sled to Nome during last year's Iditarod.

"We gave it to all of the mushers we thought had a chance to win, to make sure the page we used was carried there by the champion," Schlegelmilch explained. "The tear-out page in the book was carried to Nome by Martin Buser last year. I think that is another unique part ofthis book."

So far, the response from the donors at the blood bank has been great, Schlegelmilch said.

The book is being sold for $14.95, but blood donors at any Blood Bank of Alaska branch can pick up a copy for $9.95.

"A lot of people are buying it just to support the blood bank, and then coming back later, after they've looked through it, and buying a couple copies for Christmas presents," Schlegelmilch said.

The books are available at all Blood Bank of Alaska branches, as well as at Fireside Books in Palmer, All I Saw Cookware in Wasilla, Town Square Art Gallery and JC Penneys in Anchorage.

"So far, people have been really positive about it," Schlegelmilch said.