DEERFIELD, Ill., Nov. 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Baxter Healthcare Corporation announced today the induction of blood donors from 13 blood centers across the country to the company’s Donation Hall of Fame. The Donation Hall of Fame, now entering its eighth year, recognizes individuals nationwide who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to blood donation. These outstanding blood donors will be honored over the next few weeks at an awards ceremony at their local blood center.
“Each and every donor inducted into the Donation Hall of Fame is an amazing individual, and we are honored to be able to thank them with this award,” said Kevin McCulloch, general manager for Baxter’s Transfusion Therapies division. “The gift of blood is a gift of life and we hope these donors’ stories will inspire others to support their communities through blood donation.”
This year’s inductees to the Baxter Donation Hall of Fame include former Oklahoma governor George Nigh, who was nominated by the Oklahoma Blood Institute (OBI). As one of the founders of OBI, Nigh has been a regular blood donor and staunch supporter of blood donation for more than 25 years. Often participating in blood drives at his local church and bank, Governor Nigh also began blood drives at the Governor’s office, which continue today. In addition, Governor Nigh began a special tradition of donating blood on his birthday every year, initiating a tradition at OBI called the Birthday Club, and encouraging others in the state to do the same.
“The question with blood donation is not why, but why not?” said Nigh. “It’s one of the easiest donations one can make.”
Another extraordinary group of inductees to this year’s Donation Hall of Fame comes from United Blood Services in Louisiana, and shows how blood donation is crossing generations. Earl Tanner saw firsthand the critical need for blood while serving as a Marine during World War II. When he returned home, he said it just seemed a natural habit to donate blood.
His wife Leila followed his lead and together they have inspired their children and grandchildren to make regular blood donations a part of life. The Tanner Family, most of whom live and donate in Lafayette, La., have a total of 542 donations, and have helped to improve or save the lives of hundreds of patients. Earl hopes everyone in his family will continue to give “because there is such a great need for donations.”
The additional inductees to the 2005 Baxter Donation Hall of Fame are: -- Neil Davidson, nominated by American Red Cross Pacific Northwest Regional Blood Services in Portland, Ore.; -- Susan DePippo, nominated by Massachusetts General Hospital Blood Donor Center in Boston, Mass.; -- Rodney Ford, nominated by Oklahoma Blood Institute in Oklahoma City, Okla.; -- Eric Guttensohn, nominated by LifeSouth Community Blood Center in Montgomery, Ala.; -- Steven Hinsch, nominated by American Red Cross Athens Donor Center in Athens, Ga.; -- John Kilbuck, nominated by American Red Cross of Northern California in Oakland, Calif.; -- George and Dan Kimm, nominated by Houchin Community Blood Bank in Bakersfield, Calif.; -- Frank Knight, nominated by Florida Blood Services in St. Petersburg, Fla.; -- Steve Miller, nominated by The Blood Center in New Orleans, La.; -- Joe Schmidt, nominated by Central Kentucky Blood Center in Lexington, Ky.; -- Jim Vliet, nominated by Community Blood Services of Illinois in Urbana, Ill. -- The Castro Family (six sisters), nominated by American Red Cross Southeastern Michigan Blood Services Region in Detroit.
Blood centers across the country submitted nominations for this year’s Donation Hall of Fame. Winners were chosen based on their demonstrated commitment and passion to donating blood and/or encouraging blood donation. Each winner will receive a personalized award from Baxter and will be featured in the company’s newsmagazine, Continuous Flow, as well as the 2006 Baxter Product Dating Calendar provided to U.S. blood centers.
About Blood Donation
Currently blood donors are the only source of blood for transfusion. When donating blood, people give a pint of whole blood or donate a specific blood component via a process called apheresis. With a whole blood donation, the donated unit is separated into its therapeutic components providing one unit of red blood cells and a partial dose of platelets and plasma. With an apheresis donation, a donor gives approximately the same amount of blood, but more of a specific component, such as red blood cells, platelets or plasma.
Red blood cells are transfused to patients in need, including severe accident victims and patients undergoing chemotherapy or cardio-thoracic surgery. Platelets are transfused to people undergoing chemotherapy, cardio- thoracic surgery and for the treatment of other critical conditions. Plasma is used in the treatment of people with bleeding disorders, burn victims and for other critical therapies.
Approximately 14 million units of red cells, 2 million doses of platelets (equivalent to 10 million platelet concentrate units), and 4 million units of plasma are transfused annually in the United States.
To make a blood donation or to learn more about donating blood, please contact your local blood center. To learn more about this year’s Donation Hall of Fame inductees or to submit a nomination for the 2006 Donation Hall of Fame, please visit http://www.BaxterTransfusionTherapies.com .
About Baxter
Baxter’s Transfusion Therapies division offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services for the collection and processing of blood. For more than 60 years, Baxter’s medical advances have helped shape the practice of blood transfusion therapy.
Baxter Healthcare Corporation is the principal domestic operating subsidiary of Baxter International Inc. . Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, assists healthcare professionals and their patients with the treatment of complex medical conditions, including cancer, hemophilia, immune disorders, kidney disease and trauma. The company applies its expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives. For more information about Baxter, please visit http://www.baxter.com .
Baxter Healthcare Corporation
CONTACT: Media, Amy Cynkar, +1-847-940-5166, or Cindy Resman,+1-847-948-2815, both of Baxter
