St. Francis Medical Center’s quarterly Blood Drives in partnership with the American Red Cross is one of the hospital’s many community collaborations throughout the year. Blood donations help patients of all ages, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and people battling cancer. Our Blood Drives help to ensure there is a safe and stable blood supply available for our community.
At today’s event, we welcomed a family with three generations of donors. Nellie is a retired LVN who worked at St. Francis in our Ortho Clinic and in our Post Partum, Med Surg, and Labor and Delivery units. The first time she donated blood was 10 years ago at a local church. She chuckled and said, “I didn’t tell anyone I was going because I was afraid of the outcome. But it was a very satisfying experience.”
Since then, she has donated regularly, and now she brings her whole family. “My family always comes together,” she affirmed and pointed out her granddaughter beside her and her son and daughter who were in the process of giving blood. “There are three generations of us here today!”
With a proud nod to her grandmother, Monica shared that this was her first time giving blood. When asked why she decided to donate, she said, “I always wanted to help people and contribute to change. I was nervous at first, but the staff was so nice and talked me through the experience. I calmed down right away. I would give again 100 percent!”
According to the Red Cross, every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood or platelets. Approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the U.S. Every blood type is needed, and every donation can save up to three lives.
Although retired for the past 13 years, Nellie said, “Once a nurse, always a nurse.” Besides being there for her family to help safeguard their health, she finds that giving blood is a way she can continue to let the caregiving side of her find expression. She encourages the staff and community to join her at our next Blood Drive and said, “When you donate, you help others.”
Thank you to Josephine Niumata, Lab Assistant, for coordinating the Blood Drive in partnership with the Red Cross and with the support of the Laboratory team, EVS, Food and Nutrition, and Public Safety. And thank you to the employees, physicians, and community members who donated blood today, a true gift of life.
