Tag Archives: Donor Story

May 1, 2013 · 10:21 am

Donor of the Month

Congratulations to Indiana Blood Center’s Donor of the Month…

Cathy Summers

Cathy Summers of Greenwood, Indiana

 

Cathy is a committed platelet donor, donating every two weeks. She is also an I Pledge member and has pledged to donate platelets 24 times this year. Cathy enrolled in I Pledge because she believes it’s a “nice perk” as she plans to give anyway.

“Cathy is a wonderful woman and is a very dedicated platelet donor,” said Nicole Brosseau, donor center specialist in Greenwood. “We are fortunate for her support.”

Cathy’s first donation experience was during a blood drive hosted by her employer. When the company recruited employees to participate in their blood drive, they called on Cathy. Although terrified of needles, Cathy set aside her fear and gave an hour of her time and donated blood.

When asked what has kept her coming back, Cathy said, “I’m healthy and able to give, so as long I’m able, I will continue to donate.”

Cathy is a long-time blood donor, but recent circumstances have further impacted her views on blood donation. Cathy’s daughter was diagnosed with breast cancer, so donating blood now has an even greater impact on Cathy.

Understanding the busy lives of young people today, Cathy encourages them to donate when they can. “Just pay it forward,” said Cathy. “If the time comes where you need blood, you want to feel you have done your part.”

Now that you’ve read Cathy’s inspiring story, it’s your turn. Visit DonorPoint.org to join our life-saving network and schedule an appointment to Raise Your Sleeve.

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March 8, 2013 · 2:11 pm

A True Hero

Judge Zore

Somewhere between balancing a successful career and family life, Judge Gerald Zore has found time to donate blood 739 times, dedicating an estimated 1,478 hours of his time at Indiana Blood Center to help people he will never meet.

Judge Zore began raising his sleeve to save lives while attending college. He recalls his biology teacher, Sister Adelaide, OSF, encouraging him to donate blood. Since his college years, he has continued to give.

Judge Zore, 71, was recognized as an Indianapolis Business Journal Health Care Heroes finalist at IBJ’s awards breakfast. He was one of three finalists in the volunteer category out of a large selection of nominees.

After donating whole blood a few times, an Indiana Blood Center blood technician explained to Zore the importance of  platelets, which are needed by many types of patients, including those undergoing cancer treatments, bone marrow or organ transplants, trauma procedures or open heart surgeries. Despite the two hours it takes to donate platelets, Zore didn’t think twice about making the switch. Again, he did it for one simple reason – because it is the right thing to do.

I always feel good about volunteering,” said Judge Zore. “I’m hoping this will encourage other people to do it.”

With each life touched by his blood donation, without ever knowing those he helps or expecting anything in return, Judge Gerald Zore is a true Health Care Hero.

Now it’s your turn, follow Judge Zore’s excellent example of selfless leadership and generosity by scheduling an appointment to Raise Your Sleeve at DonorPoint.org

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March 1, 2013 · 12:08 pm

Donor of the Month

 

Jeffrey Lucas of Columbus, Ind.

Jeffrey Lucas of Columbus, Indiana

 

Jeff, 54, began donating platelets in 1997 and has been a dedicated Indiana Blood Center donor ever since.

Jeff’s commitment to our lifesaving mission comes from his loss of loved ones due to cancer. Platelets are often needed to provide treatment for cancer patients.

“My inspiration to donate is simply from knowing that I might be helping someone in need,” said Jeff. “This is something I can do.”

Many other types of patients also need platelets to restore their health, such as those undergoing bone marrow or organ transplants, trauma procedures or open heart surgeries. Jeff usually makes his platelet contribution every two weeks to help maintain a stable supply.

Platelet Technician Craig Mitchell said, “He has an easy-going personality and the staff is always happy to see him come in the door. Jeff has been donating platelets for years and is very committed to our mission.”

“In my life I have supported causes financially,” said Jeff, “I have volunteered my time, but I can honestly say that I find donating platelets the most rewarding. If even just one person is still with us because of my platelets then it’s worth it.”

We are humbled by Jeff’s dedication to giving the gift of life. Now it’s your turn. Follow Jeff’s outstanding lead and join our life-saving mission by committing to Raise Your Sleeve at DonorPoint.org. Make an appointment today. You will have someone’s undying gratitude.

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June 30, 2012 · 11:22 am

Donor of the Month

We are proud to present,

Sharon Emmerson

“I do it for all those that need it, because I can.”

Sharon knows several people who have cancer and have lost their lives fighting. When her sister-in-law passed away from cancer, Sharon knew donating blood was something she would always continue.

“I feel very fortunate not to have it (cancer),” Sharon says “so I do what I can to help.”

Sharon donates at the Fishers donor center and has been a donor since 1983. She became a donor when her work began hosting blood drives when she lived in Illinois. Sharon was told she would be a good candidate for platelets, so she took this opportunity to give back.

When Sharon first became a donor she would give sporadically, but this past year she has given regularly and has no plans of stopping.

Sharon has been ineligible a few times due to low platelet counts, but now she is able to give regularly, and that’s just what she does.

Every two weeks Sharon can be found inside the Fishers donor center just doing her share, as she would say.

“Sharon is like clockwork when it comes to donating platelets.” Jennifer Barrett, Fishers donor center specialist, says. “She schedules herself and comes in smiling and donates while chatting away with the staff.”

Sharon also just signed up with Be The Match as a way to further her commitment as a life-saving donor.

“She is so modest,” Jennifer said. “We are lucky to have such a faithful donor.”

Sharon’s humble, devoted nature is what keeps her in our chairs and what earned her the title of Indiana Blood Center’s Donor of the Month.

We’d like to say thanks to Sharon and encourage others to follow her lead. To make your appointment visit donorpoint.org

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June 14, 2012 · 8:30 am

Happy World Blood Donor Day

As the world celebrates all those who give blood,

it is our turn to THANK YOU.
As an Indiana Blood Center donor, you are making a difference by touching countless lives of patients at over 60 hospitals.

We are using this day as a way to show gratitude towards our generous and dedicated donors. One of the ways we plan to show thanks is by sharing donor and recipient stories, exemplifying the direct impact our donors have on local hospital patients. Throughout the day, we will be sharing these stories on Facebook and Twitter. We encourage all of you to share your story too.

We will also be asking our donors, recipients, partners, champions and employees to change their Facebook profile/cover photo and/or Twitter profile picture to one with an Indiana Blood Center mark, see below.  If you are able and willing to change your pictures, join in. Please click on the appropriate one below, save, and upload to Facebook and/or Twitter.

           Are you a donor?                                                      

                                                                 A recipient?

Or maybe you just like our cause…

Whichever you are, we think you deserve to be Thanked.

So remember if you see these images on someone’s profile today, Thank them.

They really are life savers.

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June 6, 2012 · 1:53 pm

A Double Donation

Meet Richard & Carolyn Anderson

Richard and Carolyn are loyal donors at Indiana Blood Center, but their most recent visit to the Terre Haute donor center carried a lot more weight than usual…literally. The Andersons were quite a sight as they showed up to their appointment with arms full of pop tabs, over 30lbs of tabs to be precise.

 When asked why they started collecting the pop tabs, Carolyn said it was because they just wanted to help.

“It’s not something we just did overnight,” Carolyn said. “It took us many years and lots of help from our whole family chipping in.” 

The Anderson family had lots of fun collecting the pop tabs because it was something their entire family could do together. The pop tabs are collected for Ronald McDonald House and recycled to generate much-needed funds to support the House and the families that they serve each year.

Cathi Krumreich, blood collection technician and supporter of Ronald McDonald House, was present when the Andersons hauled in their load of pop tabs to the Terre Haute donor center*.

 “The biggest amount I’ve ever seen brought in is a gallon freezer bag or a sandwich bag full of tabs.” Cathi said. “When they came in the door with all these pop tabs, I about fell on the floor. I was just so amazed and thankful.” 

In addition to collecting pop tabs, both Richard and Carolyn have been blood donors for over 17 years and love to donate together.

“We do everything together,” Carolyn said, “we are joined at the hip.”

It was when Carolyn’s mother got really ill and underwent open heart surgery that Richard and Carolyn started giving blood, and they soon became hooked. Cancer and sickness has been in their family before and they just wanted to give back any way they could.

These loyal donors are happy to know that the pop tabs and their blood donations are going to help others.

Their story is just an example of how loyal Indiana Blood Center donors impact the lives of those around them, in more ways than one.

Thank you to Richard and Carolyn for their selflessness and dedication to serving fellow Hoosiers. We encourage everyone to follow their lead by finding a way to give back.

Need help getting started? Visit donorpoint.org to make your appointment, today is a great day to begin.

*The Terre Haute donor center collects pop tabs from their employees and donors to be donated in support of Ronald McDonald House.

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May 30, 2012 · 3:49 pm

Donor of the Month

As we continue with the Donor of the Month Series, we are happy to announce Indiana Blood Center’s donor of the month…

Aaron Louden of Seymour, Indiana 

Louden is what we call a “regular” at the Indiana Blood Center – Columbus donor center. To date, Louden has donated over 75 times in the past three and a half years. His specialty is platelets because it allows him to keep training for the thing he loves, ultra marathon trail-running.

“In August of 2008, my father was diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer that had metastasized to his bones.  He was given a prognosis of approximately 2 years to live and informed that the chemotherapy he would be receiving would not eliminate his cancer, but simply slow the progression of the disease and reduce the amount of pain associated with the cancer.”

Louden thought of all the cancer patients like his dad, who require blood transfusions due to chemotherapy, and immediately wanted to do something to help.

“I gave my first Indiana Blood Center donation on September 30, 2008.”

Though he was happy to be able to donate, Louden was concerned about losing red blood cells and how that would affect his ability to train for and compete in events longer than 26 miles.

“However, an Indiana Blood Center phlebotomist told me that as an A+ blood type donor, I was perfectly suited to be a platelet donor and that donating platelets would allow me to keep almost all of the red cells that are so crucial to carrying oxygen while running.”

In 2010, while Louden’s father was going through his third and final round of chemotherapy, Louden was training for his longest and most challenging event yet, the 100 mile trail run.

Unfortunately, his father passed away on January 1, 2011, but Louden is proud to be able to say that exactly 100 days prior to his father’s death, he was able to call his dad and share the exhilaration of finishing a 100 mile trail run. 

“My father had the energy to share in the joy of my achievement, in part, because of blood transfusions he received from anonymous donors.”

Louden’s father has inspired him to become a regular and dedicated platelet donor. Colleen Novak, an Indiana Blood Center phlebotomist shares, “Aaron is so dedicated and he is very proud to be able to help so many through donating.”

“After three and a half years and over 75 donations, I have made it my mission to spread the word among endurance athletes such as runners, cyclists and triathletes that you can donate vital blood components without jeopardizing your training goals through the aphaeresis process.” 

We thank Louden for his many years of regular and continued platelet donations and not giving up when he thought donating blood wasn’t for him. We also thank him for sharing his story and continuing to spread the word about giving the greatest gift of all, life.

Follow Aaron’s lead and find a way to Raise Your Sleeve. Go to DonorPoint.org to make an appointment to save a life today.

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April 30, 2012 · 9:30 am

Donor of the Month

We are happy to announce Indiana Blood Center’s donor of the month…

Gayle Ennis of Lafayette, Indiana

Since 1991, Gayle has donated platelets with Indiana Blood Center 183 times and is still going strong. Lafayette blood collections staff has given Gayle the nickname, “the platelet machine.”

Believe it or not, Gayle has actually exceeded 183 donations. Gayle began donating whole blood when she was 20 years old.

“I was born and raised in California. When I was about 20 I decided to give whole blood when there was a blood drive at the hospital where I worked. I was scared to death – needles didn’t bother me, but I had heard that some folks fainted or threw up and I was so afraid of embarrassing myself,” Gayle stated.

Avoiding her fears, Gayle chatted her way through her first donation and from then on, Gayle became a regular.

Years later Gayle and her husband moved to Indiana. In 1976 Gayle’s husband was hospitalized for Chron’s disease and had three surgeries within four days where he received numerous blood transfusions. Between the move and “life” donating blood became hard to fit in Gayle’s schedule.

Several years later Gayle’s husband had open heart surgery and required even more blood.

It was after her husband’s open heart surgery when Gayle knew it was time to make donating blood part of her routine, yet again.

Charlotte Hickle, an Indiana Blood Center staff members stated,

“Gayle is kind, thoughtful and truly believes in donating. Gayle is a very generous donor and has a good sense of humor.”

On top of being a regular blood donor, Gayle volunteers at her church’s food pantry twice a week.

“All of this is as much a blessing to me as to the ones we serve,” Gayle stated.

We thank Gayle for sharing her story and hope her dedication inspires others to give back.

Follow Gayle’s lead and Raise Your Sleeve. Go to DonorPoint.org and make an appointment to save a life today.

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February 29, 2012 · 9:30 am

Donor of the Month

As we continue with the Donor of the Month Series, we are happy to announce Indiana Blood Center’s donor of the month…

Gary Wobler of Carmel, Indiana

To date, Wobler has donated 57 times. His specialty is platelets with the occasional whole blood donation.

Wobler’s decision to become a blood donor came easy when his late wife was found to have breast cancer. Wobler saw first-hand the positive impact blood had throughout his wife’s treatment.

“My late wife and I always tried to help others less fortunate and before she passed away she made me promise to never stop,” Wobler stated.

From that moment on, Wobler became a dedicated blood donor. Thelma and Yolanda, two Indiana Blood Center staff members stated,

“Gary is more than a dedicated donor, he has become our friend.”

Unfortunately, Wobler recently lost his brother-in-law to leukemia. But Wobler claims because of the generosity of blood donors, he and his family were able to be with him that much longer.

Wobler donates regularly knowing he is giving back and helping those in need.

Wobler also likes the extra perk of the mini physical he receives each time he donates. Thanks to the routine cholesterol check, Wobler was informed by Indiana Blood Center that his cholesterol levels were high, which led him to take immediate action to get his levels under control.

We thank Wobler for sharing his story and hope his personal experience with blood inspires others to give back.

Follow Wobler’s lead and Raise Your Sleeve. Go to DonorPoint.org to make an appointment to save a life today.

Learn more about how Wobler carries on his wife’s legacy by visiting www.arlenewobler.com.

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February 8, 2012 · 9:30 am

The Life You Save May Be Your Own

The number one reason blood donors say they give is because they want to help others. Donating blood saves lives. Usually it’s the lives of hospital patients, but every now and then it’s the life of a donor.

Donating blood has health benefits – Every time a person donates blood at Indiana Blood Center or any other blood center he or she receives a mini-physical. The blood technician checks each donor’s body temperature, pulse, blood pressure, iron levels and cholesterol.

(Cholesterol results can be viewed by donors a few days after their donation by logging into their DonorPoint account.)

Kansas City blood donor, Bill Coffman, received a mini-physical that was LIFESAVING. A few days after donating blood, Coffman received his results from Community Blood Center. To Coffman’s surprise, his cholesterol levels were off the charts. 

Coffman gives thanks to Community Blood Center for being alive. Had he not donated blood, it could have been too late before he sought medical attention.

More of Coffman’s story here.

About 47 percent of American adults have cholesterol levels that are too high. To get out or stay out of this percentage, you should have your cholesterol levels checked regularly.

An easy way to maintain your cholesterol levels is by donating blood. As stated above, each donor receives a mini-physical before they donate blood, which includes checking cholesterol levels.

You can donate whole blood every 56 days, which means by doing so you can stay on top of your cholesterol levels.

Save the lives of others, with the potential of saving your own.

Schedule to Give Red at DonorPoint.org.

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