Lifelines-Summer-2010 - Virginia Blood Services

lifelines
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The Semiannual Newsletter for the VBS Community
VBS Connecting Blood Donors to Patients
New Web and social media tool will link blood donors, based on
their blood type, to patients needing specific blood products.
Virginia Blood Services has launched
a pilot program to reach blood donors
based on their blood types in order to
collect specific blood products using the
“VBS Blood Lifeline.”
The VBS Blood Lifeline is an online
community (www.bloodlifeline.com) where
users can become someone’s lifeline by
signing up to be alerted when their blood
type and a specific blood product, such as
platelets, plasma or red cells, are needed
by patients with matching blood types.
patients’ immediate blood needs.
As a blood emergency arises, we’ll
reach out to VBS Blood Lifeline
registered donors who possess
the patient’s specific blood product
and type.
Lifeline participants can also stay
up to date via a “Need Feed” and
receive real-time status on blood
and blood product needs within
the community.
“
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SUMMER 2010
“
I don’t think people realize just
how important blood products are
to chemotherapy patients.To put
it into perspective, I had seven
cycles of regular chemotherapy
and a bone marrow transplant,
equaling somewhere around
22 infusions.Twelve of those
infusions were blood, and ten
were platelets.
Iva Radman
Blood Recipient,
Survivor, and
Inspiration for
VBS’ Blood Lifeline
program.
IN THIS ISSUE
Sole Supplier to 22 Hospitals............2
NEW Facebook Application...............2
Letter from the President...................3
Inspiration for this program is
The mission is to become the lifeline of the Iva Radman, a stage four noncommunity by acting as an intermediary Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor
between patients and donors in the and a loyal blood donation advocate.
Virginia area. We’re working closely with
(Continued page 2)
our local hospitals in order to determine
Donor Makes 375th Donation...........4
ATTENTION CHARLOTTESVILLE DONOR CENTER PATRONS
Birthday Parties at VBS.....................6
The Charlottesville Donor Center will have a NEW location
on August 3, 2010. Come visit us at 606 Albemarle Square.
Call 800-989-4438 with any questions or to make an
appointment.
Believes in Blood After Sister Survives....7
!
!
Society of 100...................................4
Welcome New Donor Groups...........5
Donor Commits for Life.....................6
Cash Contributions............................7
In Kind Donations..............................8
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lifelines
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(Continued from page 1)
Her story has touched many people
in our Virginia community and has
inspired them to become regular
blood donors.
When Iva was in treatment, there
were not enough platelets in her
blood type for her next transfusion,
and she was forced to stay extra
time in the hospital because of this.
We want to make sure that Iva’s
unfortunate incident of unfilled blood
inventory doesn’t happen to any
other patient in need of a blood
transfusion. It’s her story and many
others around the world that have
inspired VBS to create the Blood
Lifeline Program.
Product specific blood donations
are what will best help the patients
VBS serves and are based on blood
type.
“Healthcare providers are changing
transfusion practices, therefore resulting
in fewer transfusions to patients,”
said Marly Fausz, Manager of
Communications for Virginia Blood
Services. “We are now striving to
educate donors to give specific
blood products based on their
blood type and patient needs. The
Blood Lifeline is the first step in
that direction.”
VBS is actively promoting the
Blood Lifeline via social media
tools such as Facebook and
Twitter, hoping to quickly build a
large following. Those interested
in becoming a part of the Blood
Lifeline can visit the website www.
bloodlifeline.com, or follow the
twitter handle @valifeline.
There’s now an application on
Virginia Blood Services’ Facebook
page called “Ydonate” where users
can schedule appointments directly
from the VABlood fan page.
It works the same way as
vadonor.com by searching for the
closest blood donation center or
mobile blood drive near the entered
destination.
Even better, once an appointment
has been made, Facebook users can
“update friends” with one simple click.
This will keep their network of
friends up to date as well as prompt
them to click through to check it out.
Visit www.facebook.com/vablood to
learn more.
VBS Now Sole Provider of Blood to 22 Hospitals
Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center Joins Blood Collection Efforts
On June 7, 2010, Spotsylvania
Regional Medical Center (SRMC)
opened its doors as HCA Virginia’s
newest facility and the 22nd hospital
in which Virginia Blood Services
(VBS) is the sole provider of blood.
In its first week of opening,
the hospital saw many firsts, from a
set of twins, to a heart attack, and
its first blood drive. Over 50 hospital
employees came out to give blood.
Amongst them was Tim Tobin,
SRMC Chief Executive Officer.
“It’s a great opportunity to
continue to make a difference
and practice life saving support,”
Tobin said. “Folks need to take the
time to do this good thing for the
community.”
Tim Tobin, Spotsylvania Regional Medical Center’s CEO
donating blood at the hospital’s July 1 blood drive.
2
Tobin is a Richmond native
and has been giving blood for more
than 20 years. He supported the
blood drive and encouraged his
employees to donate if they could
as he understands the importance
of this life saving gift.
The collection goal for the
SRMC blood drive was 30, and VBS
successfully collected 38 units of
blood. Thank you to all who came
out to support the drive.
SRMC
is
located
in
Fredericksburg and opened with
services dedicated to women’s and
children’s care, orthopedic, cardiac,
and 24/7 emergency assistance,
among others. It also offers hightech imaging, in- and outpatient
surgery, and related services.
Letter from the President
can trust that we will deliver the
right blood type when needed. It’s
vital when a blood transfusion is
necessary. In this case, a patient
must receive a blood type that is
compatible with his or her own blood
type—that is, the donated blood
must be accepted by the patient’s
own blood. If the blood types are
not compatible, red blood cells will
clump together, making clots that
can block blood vessels and cause
death.
Many of our donors often
wonder if their blood type makes a
difference. Whether their type is A, B,
O, or AB, they have the opportunity
to help save lives in a way that is
significant for their blood type.
As
stewards
of
the
community’s blood supply, Virginia
Blood Services’ (VBS) goal is to
assure that each patient has the right
component of the right blood type, in
the right quantity, at the right time,
and in the right place. To do that we
are encouraging donors to make the
type of donation - platelets, plasma,
double red cells, or whole blood - that
will have the greatest impact.
When donors make the right
donation type for their blood type,
they maximize the benefit of their
donation to the patient. VBS is striving
to better match the components we
collect each day with the needs of
the patients in the hospitals we serve
throughout Central Virginia.
Part of our mission to provide
a safe and reliable blood supply for
our patients is to assure our hospitals
Transfusions
can
be
prescribed for many reasons, not
just trauma, such as treatment for
cancer, burns, organ transplants,
and sickle cell anemia. Each of
these operations may require
different components; this is why
if donors have the extra time, an
automated donation could have
the potential to save many lives of
patients in our community.
This summer, VBS launched
the pilot website www.bloodlifeline.
com. This is a website where
people can sign up to be a “lifeline”
SUMMER 2010
to patients with their blood type
in their community. Once signed
up, notifications will be sent about
patients in need or if a specific
blood type is getting low in hospital
inventory. It gives our donors the
opportunity to learn what effect their
donation could have by knowing
exactly when they are needed and
how they can help.
Next time you come in to
donate, based on our patient and
inventory needs, the time you
have available, and the automated
technologies at each donation
location, we may ask you to donate
specific blood components. This
will help to make the most of your
gift, and we hope that you will make
the consideration.
Sincerely,
Robert E. Carden, Ph.D.
President and CEO
Virginia Blood Services
What’s Your Type?
Match what red blood cell type you can give and receive.
Donor
Recipient
O-
O+
A-
A+
B-
B+ AB- AB+
OO+
AA+
BB+
ABAB+
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lifelines
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Donor Highlight: 375 Donations and Going
For their commitment, Virginia
Blood Services honors the Society
of 100, men and women who have
donated over 100 times; however,
Douglas Schutte and a small group
of others are in a league of their
own, warranting a Society of 250. As
Virginia’s top donor, with a combined
375 platelet, whole blood, plasma, and
white cell donations, Doug has the right
to make the request for such a group.
Since his move to Richmond
from Pennsylvania in 1977 to become
the chief investigator in the Attorney
General’s office, Doug has avidly
donated with VBS, but his first donation
took place in 1976 at Princeton
University, where he attended school.
This self-employed private eye also
spreads his enthusiasm for donating
to the members of his church, the
Episcopal Church of the Redeemer,
where he coordinates blood drives.
The church hopes to reach its
goal of 100 donations this year.
lying contently in the donor bed, he
says, “I felt strongly that donating
was something good I could do to
save someone’s life. I have since felt
that it was my moral obligation.”
The majority of the staff at
VBS recognizes Doug and enjoys his
visits to Emerywood Center. Donnie
Ragland, collections supervisor, says,
“He is probably the model donor
because of how long he has stuck
with donating, how punctual he is with
his appointments, and how proud he
is of his contributions. His pride really
shines through.”
Perhaps one day VBS will
provide a Society of 250 as a gift to
our model donor. For now, he has our
gratitude and the pride of fulfilling his
moral obligation every few weeks.
When a boy from his
church was diagnosed with
leukemia, Doug switched
to donating platelets
in honor of him. While
Doug Schutte on his 375th donation with friends Donnie Ragland and Martha Eason.
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Frank Payne prepares to give 101st donation.
Frank Payne, of Mechanicsville,
recently donated his 101st pint of
blood with Virginia Blood Services.
He’s been donating blood since
August of 1987 and has not missed
a beat since.
“Giving blood has been very
enjoyable, the collectors are very
professional and very caring,” Frank
said. He decided to start donating
blood because he was healthy
and wanted to help. His wife, Anne
Payne, is also a blood donor.
Because one pint of blood can
save up to three lives, Frank could
potentially have saved over 300
lives in his blood donating career.
Virginia Blood Services honors
its committed blood donors for this
achievement with the Society of
100 club. In order to be a member,
a donor must have given blood
100 or more times. There is a
gala held every other year in the
members’ honor, with the next event
approaching this September. There
are currently over 500 members.
SUMMER 2010
Welcome New Donor Groups
1/01/10 - 6/01/10
ALBEMARLE
Century Link
Chestnut Grove Baptist Church
Covenant Church of God
Food Lion – Forest Lakes
Virginia Employment Commission
ASHLAND
Hometown Realty
Richmond Restaurant
Whitten Brothers
AUGUSTA
Anytime Fitness Bentley Commons
Mount Solon Post Office
New Life Four Square Gospel
Church
Staunton Walmart
Rexnord Industries Robert E. Lee High School
BURKEVILLE
Eagle Scout Jordan Dalton –
Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter Day Saints Burkeville
CHARLOTTESVILLE
Charlottesville Fashion Square
Mall
First Nazarene Church
Food Lion – Willoughby Square
UVA National Cesar E. Chavez
Blood Drive Challenge
UVA Library
UVA Housing Division
UVA Jefferson Literary and
Debating Society
Woodard Properties
CHESTERFIELD
Grand Oaks Apartments
John Tyler Nursing Program
Whitten Brothers
FLUVANNA
Lee Tennis Court Products
Salon DeShano
FARMVILLE
Farmville Family Chiropractic
New Life Assembly of God - In
Honor of Kairi Beiler
FREDERICKSBURG
Gold’s Gym
GLEN ALLEN
Allied International
Healthsource Chiropractic
Best Buy Virginia Center
Commons
Whole Foods
HARRISONBURG
Red Front Supermarket
HENRICO
Medical Careers Institute
Old Navy- VA Center Commons
POWHATAN
Powhatan Pharmacy
PRINCE GEORGE
Brusters
Prince George Masonic Lodge
LOUISA
Dr. Andre’s Office
Mineral Rescue Squad
MECHANICSVILLE
Drew Bridwell Eagle Scout
Jonathon Owens Eagle Scout
New Song United Methodist
Church
W. Baxter Perkinson &
Associates Dental
ROCKBRIDGE
Kendal At Lexington
ROCKINGHAM
Timberville Broadway Senior
Center
CITY OF RICHMOND
ASK Fun Walk
Brusters at Bell Creek
CAR POOL
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter
Day Saints
Congregation Beth Ahaba
Envoy of Westover Hills
James River Insurance
Hirschler Fleischer
Lowes Brook Road
Old Navy at Willow Lawn
Saint Bridget’s School
Sam’s Club White Oak Mall
Schettine & Nguyenl
Style Craft Homes
UPS Freight Service Center
Wytestone Plaza
SANDSTON
US Post Office
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Donating Blood, A Routine For Life
Nida Dovel donated blood on
July 8th. She doesn’t recall exactly
how many times she has donated.
Many of us may not remember
exactly how many units we have
donated.
But, forgetting those
types of details, just one month
shy of a 91st birthday, is certainly
understandable.
Nida knows she has donated
gallons of blood over the years.
She provided evidence by pulling
out an old but well-preserved donor
card from her immaculate wallet.
And, she recalls with great detail,
her very first donation and why she
gave.
It was in 1944 that Nida rolled up
her sleeve for the first time to give
right down the road at the University
of Virginia Hospital. Why does she
remember that? Her sister was
21 years old at the time and was
scheduled for a surgery that no
longer is necessary with today’s
modern medicine.
Nida’s sister had malignant
hypertension and her prognosis
was grim unless she underwent
surgery. In the middle of the
last century, this potentially fatal
disorder was treated by a surgical
procedure
called
Smithwick
Sympathectomy.
She described the procedure
as removal of part of the rib cage.
It was a radical surgery and Nida
knew that blood transfusions would
be required. When her sister was
brought into the hospital her blood
pressure was sky high – she
recollected 260/180.
So, like so many others who
become donors, it’s a personal
connection to a need that gets
someone in the routine of giving. For
Nida, it’s been a routine stretching
into an eighth decade. It’s a routine
for life.
Nida Dovel donating blood at the Charlottesville Donor
Center on Hydraulic Road.
Donor Exchanges Birthday Gifts for Gift of Life
Birthdays aren’t all about parties,
cake, and friends—they are an
excuse for gifts. Consider this:
rather than receiving gifts for this
year’s birthday, give the gift of life
to 3 patients in need. With friendly
staff, snacks, and a commitment to
the wellbeing of others, VBS blood
centers make great locations for
parties. Express your appreciation
for life by providing someone else
the opportunity to celebrate their
next birthday.
Patty Kruszewski, VBS’s first
donor at the Emerywood location
Patty and friends celebrate her birthday at VBS. Pictured in October 2007, has celebrated
from left: David Ridderhof, Carol Ridderhof, Ron
her birthday with VBS since 2007.
Rominiecki, Brandon Bruce, Patty Kruszewski, and Jim
While working for the Henrico
Wilson.
6
Citizen newspaper, she covered a
story about an engagement party
here at VBS for a couple who met
during a blood drive. Patty decided
to adopt the idea and for three years
has invited her friends to give blood
in her honor around the time of her
birthday.
This year, Patty, an ambassador
of the Richmond Chamber of
Commerce, brought ten friends
with her to donate, including 5 other
ambassadors. The group socialized
and refueled until everyone finished
donating.
VBS donors are invited to celebrate
their birthdays in the same manner
by asking friends to give the gift of
life.
SUMMER 2010
Believes in Blood After Sister Survives
Donors, patients—it’s all relative.
For 18-year-old Whitney Robinson,
donating blood is more than “doing
the right thing.” It is personal.
Blood transfusions from Virginia
Blood Services helped to save the
youngest of her five sisters.
At two months, Whitney’s sister,
Maiyah, received her first blood
transfusion. Early on, the family
noticed that Maiyah was not gaining
weight, and when they took her to
the hospital, doctors
discovered a hole and
a tear on the left side of
her heart.
The family rushed
Maiyah to Chippenham
Hospital PICU where
her blood count was
2.8. Although she does
not know the specifics
of
the
transfusion,
Whitney vividly recalls
how “[Maiyah’s] color
went from being pale to
a beautiful pink.”
Diamond Blackfan Anemia, a rare
disease in which the bone marrow
fails to produce red blood cells. She
received five more transfusions
before having heart surgery at the
age of two. Maiyah is now seven
years old and has not needed a
transfusion since her surgery.
To this day, Maiyah’s struggle
inspires Whitney to donate blood
and to educate her classmates at
Thomas Dale High School about
the importance of donations. She
recognizes the importance of a
personal story to motivate others
and tells her friends at school about
her little sister’s battle with this
uncommon disorder.
She says, “I noticed that not
many teens were giving blood, and
I knew that nine times out of 10 if
they heard the story from me, then
they would give blood because I am
their peer.”
Whitney donates whenever
eligible and appreciates all the
blood donors who help to save the
lives of children like Maiyah. About
other blood donors, she says, “I
would like to tell them ‘thank you
so much for giving blood. You
don’t know how helpful you are to
those who really need it.’”
Pictured from left: Whitney Robinson and her
younger sister Maiyah Tanner.
Since
the
initial
transfusion,
doctors
diagnosed Maiyah with
Are you a member of Friends 4 Life or Platelet All-Stars?
Friends 4 Life is dedicated for blood donors who give whole blood at
least four times every year. Remember you can donate whole blood
every 56 days, so this goal is very attainable!
Platelet All-Stars is dedicated for platelet donors who give six or more
successful donations. Donors can give platelets every 2 weeks, up
to 25 times per year! Find more details online at www.vablood.org
where you can also sign up for one of these programs.
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In Kind Contributors
1/01/10 - 6/01/10
Baker’s Crust - Short Pump
Town Center
BREMAC
Brusters Bell Creek
Brusters Chesterfield
Brusters Powhatan
Cici’s Pizza Midlothian
City Limit
Estes
Ettrick Deli
Food Lion
Gelati Celesti
Great Wraps - VCU
Healthsource Chiropractic
Iron Bridge Sports Park
Jersey Mike’s-Ashland
Jersey Mike’s-Lakeridge Pkway
Jersey Mike’s-VCU
Jimmy John’s -Midlothian
Jimmy John’s - Three Chopt
Jersey Mike’s-VCU
Krispy Kreme
Memorial Regional Hospital
MIDAS of Richmond
Nacho Mamas
Old Navy - VA Center Commons
Old Navy- Chesterfield Towne Center
Papa John’s
Piccola Pizza - VCU
PQ’s Barbeque
Regal Cinema VA Center Commons
Regal Cinema Westchester Commons
Richmond International Raceway
Romp N’ Roll
Ruther Glen Shopping Center
Sam’s Club - West Broad
Shacklefords
Short Pump Town Center
Southern States
St. Mary’s Hospital
Superstars Pizza
Texas Roadhouse
Tropical Smoothie
Whitlock
Windy Hill
8 Please call (804) 359-5100 or (800) 989-GIFT if you have comments, questions or suggestions.
VBS Lifelines is published by Virginia Blood Services’ communications department.
Harrisonburg:
RMH Blood Center
100 E. Grace Street
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Augusta Health
64 Sports Medicine Drive
Fishersville, VA 22939
University of Virginia Medical Center
West Hospital, Suite 1206
Charlottesville, VA 22903
NEW Charlottesville, VA 22901
Charlottesville Area:
606 Albemarle Square
12212 Bermuda Crossing Lane
Chester, VA 23831
4040-A Cox Road
Glen Allen, VA 23060
9200 Arboretum Parkway, Suite 102
Richmond, VA 23236
Richmond Area:
2825 Emerywood Parkway
Richmond, VA 23294
www.vablood.org
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www.twitter.com/vablood
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