Sioux Falls VA Medical Center and the Community Blood Bank Honor Center's 4000th Donor

 

 

 

 

Department of

Veterans Affairs

 

 NEWS RELEASE

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Shirley Redmond, Public Affairs Officer

605-333-6889

March 25, 2010

 

 

The Sioux Falls VA Medical Center and the Community Blood Bank honored the medical center’s 4000th donor, Lori Meyer, VA radiology tech, on March 25. Since the bloodmobile began visiting the medical center in 1991, medical center and regional office employees, volunteers, and Veterans have now donated over 500 gallons of blood for use in the Sioux Falls community.

 

When asked why she gives blood, Lori responded that she feels it is her community responsibility. She encourages others to donate because it doesn’t cost anything to give, and it helps save lives.

 

The medical center sponsors five blood drives a year in partnership with the Community Blood Bank. As part of VA’s vision to be an active community partner, staff are encouraged to take time to donate if they are medically able.

 

Generally between 60-70 pints of blood are collected at every drive, which has enabled the Sioux Falls VA to be ranked in the Top 10 businesses who donate blood for the past five years.  Employees also receive recognition at town hall meetings for being first-time donors, reaching gallon donations, and a traveling trophy goes to individual services for their donations.  VA team members also participate in the Blood Bank’s Give4Life blood donation frequency program. For four donations within a 12-month period, donors receive a special recognition T-shirt.

 

VA staff demonstrate their generosity through many community service projects and donations to the Combined Federal Campaign, but also through helping maintain a safe blood supply for Sioux Falls area residents. 

 

Individuals can safely donate blood every 56 days. Eligible donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 100 pounds, be in good health, and should eat a good meal before donating.  Statistics from the blood bank show that only 5% of possible donors roll up their sleeves to give.

 

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