Lifelines-Winter_Spring-2012

lifelines
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Healthy To Give
VBS explains additional health benefits for blood donors.
Giving blood is considered to be
a charitable gesture where one person’s
donation impacts the lives of several. Since
there is currently no substitute for blood,
hospitals count on a readily accessible
supply of blood. Committed blood donors
sacrifice time and comfort in an effort to
help keep the supply available.
But blood donation may in fact
be giving something back to those who
are committed. Medical sources are now
promoting blood donation, not just for its
impact on recipients, but for the potential
health benefits it can have on donors. In
fact current research suggests that regular
blood donation can help reduce a person’s
risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke and
even cancer.
The first health benefit many people
don’t consider is the mini-physical given
prior to donating blood. During this physical,
health factors like blood pressure, pulse,
temperature and iron levels are checked
to determine if a person is healthy enough
to donate. While the physical is specifically
designed for blood donation, essentially,
committed donors are receiving a mini
checkup every two months, compared to
someone who may only attend a checkup
once a year. This awareness is beneficial
for early detection of factors like high blood
pressure.
According to researchers, blood
donation can also help reduce the risk of
cardiovascular events like a heart attack.
In an article in Circulation, a journal of the
American Heart Association, Dr. Jerome
(Continued on page 2)
“
The Semiannual Newsletter for the VBS Community
WINTER/SPRING 2012
“
I donated for my first time
because my mother has always
donated and I thought I would
give it a try. I was nervous at
first, but VBS made me feel so
welcome. I kept waiting for it to
hurt, but then he (VBS Blood
Collection Specialist) told me
that the needle was already in
and it did not hurt at all! I will
definitely do it again.
Alecia Akers
17-year-old first time
donor at the Roanoke
Broadcasters for
Blood Drive. Learn
more on page 4.
IN THIS ISSUE
Healthy To Give..................................
1-2
Letter from the President.....................
3
Roanoke Welcomes VBS..................4
Welcome New Donor Groups.............
5
Recipient Turned Donor......................
6
Saying Thank You................................
7
In Kind Contributors..............................
8
1
lifelines
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(Continued from page 1)
Sullivan concludes that iron depletion,
by voluntary blood donation, is
associated with a significant decrease
in vascular events and atherosclerosis.
The main focus of this conclusion is the
effect blood donation has on removing
excessive amounts of iron found in the
blood.
According to online medical
source Web M.D., iron is a naturally
occurring mineral used in the human
body to create hemoglobin, a protein
in red blood cells that carries oxygen.
Nearly 70 percent of the iron in the body
can be found in the
cardiovascular system
in the form of red
blood cells. However,
when these red blood
cells die, the iron is
released and carried
to organs such as
the heart, spleen and
liver.
This release
and deposit of iron are
speculated to increase
a person’s risk for
cardiovascular disease
and
stroke.
Most
notably, the negative
cardiovascular
implications of iron
come
from
the
oxidative
effect
it
has on cholesterol, a
known cardiovascular
threat.
The relationship between blood
donation, iron levels and cardiovascular
health was also tested in a study
published by the American Journal of
Epidemiology. Conducted in Finland, the
study explored the association between
blood donation and acute myocardial
infarction (heart attack). The experiment
was composed of 2,862 men, age 42–
60, who were observed over the course
of nine years.
The results concluded that men
who donated blood at least once a year
had an 88 percent lower risk of heart
attacks than non-donors. The results
2
suggest that blood loss through
frequent voluntary blood donations
may be associated with a reduced risk
of cardiovascular events, especially
in middle-aged men. Additionally, the
study found that through a process
called lipid peroxidation, regular blood
donation helped lower LDL cholesterol
levels.
Although cholesterol is a
necessary building block of cell walls,
hormones, and digestive juices, it is
known to have damaging effects on
the body at higher levels. Overly high
Institute, provides evidence that blood
donors are less likely to develop certain
types of cancers than non-donors.
This profile study concludes that of
the million people sampled for study, blood
donors were observed to have a reduced
risk for developing certain types of cancers
affecting the mouth, lung, larynx and liver.
The study’s abstract suggests a correlation
between the lifestyles of blood donors and
healthy decision making, noting that blood
donors enjoy better than average health.
Additionally, the research finds that the donor
population is becoming increasingly healthier.
Blood donors are
statistically healthier
than non-donors due
to the self-awareness
that comes from
donating blood; from
the mini physical to
the natural blood
replenishment,
donors are enjoying
better than average
health. With a rise
in heart disease
and cancer, picking
up a healthy habit
like blood donation
could help make a
difference.
LDL cholesterol levels are especially
known to contribute to cardiovascular
damage. However, when a person
donates blood the increase of new
red blood cells created by the body
helps decrease LDL cholesterol in the
bloodstream.
Donating blood regularly
could also lower a person’s risk for
developing cancer according to a
Scandinavian study regarding the
health profile of blood donors. The
source, a health study produced by the
Department of Medical Epidemiology
and Biostatics at the Karolinska
So you call yourself a social
networker? Find us online!
WINTER/SPRING 2012
Letter from the President
in the communities we serve. We rely
on our neighbors to support the local
blood supply by donating regularly and
hosting blood drives at their business
or organization.
In today’s economy the “Support
Local” movement is going beyond
simply shopping at local businesses,
dining at local restaurants and eating
locally grown produce. At Virginia Blood
Services (VBS) our message is just as
pertinent because we believe charity
starts right here at home: donate blood
locally to help save the lives of local
patients.
As the sole provider of blood to
hospitals throughout Central Virginia,
our donors know that their blood stays
We also do our best to support
local initiatives by utilizing area
services for our daily operations from
couriers to printers to t-shirt suppliers.
We understand that the people we do
business with are also the people who
are helping us to save lives, not only
through their services, but through their
blood donations.
I would like to thank the area
businesses and organizations who
take time and energy to hold blood
drives throughout the year. Since our
last Lifelines issue, we have welcomed
more than 80 new donor groups to
VBS and we look forward to a long
relationship with the new donors these
groups have recruited.
As we continue to grow, we also
must continue to spread our message
about the need for more community
blood donors in the areas we serve.
We recently began serving the Carilion
Clinic hospitals in Roanoke and the
New River Valley. We are excited to
get to know our new neighbors in these
communities.
Through the help of new
and regular blood donors, citizens
throughout Central Virginia never have
to worry that the transfusion needs
of their loved ones might not be met.
With that we humbly and gratefully
recognize the contributions of all who
loyally support our mission to provide a
safe and reliable blood supply.
With the goal of supporting
local efforts through many facets, it is
obvious that we are all working together
for the benefit of a better community. We
ask that you please keep VBS in mind
as well as our neighboring businesses
with your initiatives to support local
efforts this year.
Sincerely,
Robert E. Carden, Ph.D.
President and CEO
Virginia Blood Services
Virginia Blood Services
is the sole provider
of blood products to
hospitals throughout
Central Virginia.
The patients in the
communities where we
work, live and serve
are our top priority.
When you donate blood
with us, your gift will
go to save the lives of
people right here in our
community. Support the
local initiative by giving
blood locally.
3
lifelines
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A Warm Welcome, Roanoke Style
Virginia Blood Services (VBS)
is now the sole provider of blood to
Carilion Clinic hospitals in Roanoke
and the New River Valley. On October
1, VBS officially started supplying
Carilion Clinic with blood products
allowing VBS to extend its services to
Southwest Virginia.
As part of the current
“Save
Local
Lives”
campaign,
VBS, in partnership with Carilion
Clinic, produced two public service
announcements (PSA) to introduce
VBS to the area. During the PSA the
Chair of the Department of Emergency
Medicine at Carilion Clinic, Dr. John
Burton, asked local Roanoke residents
to do the same by donating blood.
“Now that VBS is the sole supplier
of blood to Carilion Clinic we are
welcoming them to the area and we
hope that [Roanoke residents] will
come out and donate on behalf of the
patients in the community,” said Dr.
Burton.
Less than a month later,
Cambria Suites Roanoke sponsored
a 12-hour Broadcasters blood drive
to give residents an opportunity to
respond to Dr. Burton’s invitation and
support Carilion Clinic. To help show
their community support, Director of
Sales, Joy Barlow coordinated the
drive as a grand coming out party for
The Cambria Suites, Roanoke: Site for Broadcasters for Blood last November 2011.
VBS. Planning to accommodate the
large amount of donors expected at
the event, Joy initiated the donation of
a conference room, executive board
room and the entire lobby at Cambria
Suites. To help encourage donors
to come early, Cambria Suites also
donated free breakfast to the first 25
donors through the door and a onenight-stay for two at the hotel.
The event was promoted all day
by popular Roanoke radio stations Q99,
K92, Star 94.9 Vibe100 and WFIR960.
A full production of the NBC10 talk
show, Daytime Blue Ridge, aired live
from Cambria Suites during the event
to help educate the community about
VBS. Being the event coordinator, Joy
was a guest of the show and talked
about why Cambria Suites sponsored
the event.
“Because VBS is the main supplier of
blood to Carilion Clinic we want to back
them from a community point of view,”
Joy said during the interview. “Cambria
Suites is behind VBS 100 percent.”
Other guests of the show,
including a first time donor and Carilion
physician, talked about the importance
of donating blood to support Carilion
Clinic. Dick Daniels of Q99 in Roanoke
said, “It’s a great way to be a part of
our community and to help out our
neighbors.” The drive brought in nearly
100 people who were eager to learn
about Carilion’s new blood supplier and
how they could save local lives.
VBS plans to open a donor
center in Roanoke in early 2012. In
the meantime, there are mobile blood
drives being held in the area, just visit
Vadonor.org to find a nearby location.
Dr. John Burton, featured filming the VBS/Carilion Clinic Roanoke commercial
in October 2011. See the full spot at www.YouTube.com/VBSsaveslives.
4
WINTER/SPRING 2012
Welcome New Donor Groups
6/01/11-12/31/11
RICHMOND
Amelia Community Church
Bank of McKenney
Beaufont Health and Rehab
Center
Boulevard Flower Gardens
Boykins Volunteer Fire
Department
Brusters Colonial Heights
Buffalo Wild WingsMechanicsville
Care Advantage Carriage Hill
Apartments
Chesterfield Little League
Colonial Downs
Columbia Gas of Virginia
Foremost Sales
Fredericksburg United
Methodist Church
GPM Investments
Hanover Church of the
Nazarene
Harbour Pointe Chiropractic &
Wellness Center
Helping Hands Veterinary
Surgical and Dental Care
Hilton Garden Inn Richmond
Innsbrook
Hopewell Temple
Huguenot Volunteer Fire
Department
In onor of Abbie Waters
In Honor of Helene Bumbalo
In Honor of Trent Kimbrell
In Remembrance of Sept. 11
Independent Container Line
James River Air
James River Equipment
Mangohick Volunteer Fire
Department
Mooers Volvo
Napier- ERA
Powhatan Community Church
Powhatan Masonic Lodge and
YMCA
Rexel
Rexel-Ashland
Richmond Masonic Lodge #
10
Rising Mount Zion Baptist
Church
RPM Mobile
South University
Southside Vendor’s Market
Spotsylvania High School
St. John Neumann Catholic
Church
St. Luke’s Baptist Church
Stratford University
Sweet Frog
TASC
The Electric Cooperatives
Town Of Farmville
University Apartments at
Ettrick Blood Drive In Honor
of Larry Saunders
Virginia State University
- Student Government
Association
Westwood Club
Williams Mullen Center
WEST
Albemarle Heating & Air
Anytime Fitness-Lovingston
Battle of Broadcasters
Roanoke
Botetourt Athletic Club
Clayton Homes
District 3 Masonic Lodge
Dixie Gas & Oil Corporation
DPR Construction
Drs. Soderquist & Weis
Ezra’s Blood Drive
Food Lion - Franklin
Gordonsville Masons
Hayley Kudro Honor Drive
Jim Price Automotive
Liberty University
LifeNet
Lowe’s - Challenger
Mamma Mia Pizza Italian
Restaurant
Mt. Jackson Masonic Lodge
Nelson Community Day
New Hope Baptist Church
Old Trail Village
Roanoke Athletic Club
Shenandoah Heritage Market
Southern Albemarle Family
Practice
Towers Shopping Center
Trinity Presbyterian Church
Twilight Blood DriveTanglewood Mall
Valley Community Outreach
Valley Honda
Virginia Tech Transportation
Institute
Walmart of Waynesboro
Woodland Baptist Church
5
lifelines
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Blood Recipient Turned Blood Donor
In February 1967, WCYK
morning radio personality Steven
Walker was just 16-years-old and
working as a paperboy in Pennsylvania.
One morning, while Steven was
delivering papers on his usual route, he
was struck broadside by an oncoming
vehicle. Instantly he was thrown from
his motorcycle, landing in a raspberry
patch across the road.
The force of the accident
ruptured Steven’s spleen and one of
his kidneys, and crushed his leg from
shin to ankle. His arm was torn off and
wrapped up in a knot in the sleeve of
his jacket. In addition, he was bleeding
internally, a fact that would have killed
him if not for the temperature outside
that morning.
“Luckily it was very cold, and the cold is
what kept me from bleeding to death,”
said Steven.
He lay in the raspberry patch
where his body came to rest for nearly
45 minutes before help would arrive.
When he finally reached the
hospital the severity of his situation
forced the doctors to begin operating
immediately, including a procedure
that had to be done on his ankle, in
the hallway, without the use of an
anesthetic. He was then wheeled into
the operating room for the surgeries on
his spleen and kidney.
“They didn’t think I was going to live,”
said Steven.
A long period of recovery after
the accident would take Steven well
into his junior year of high school. Once
his recovery was complete he began
thinking about giving back by giving
blood.
“For years after I wanted to give blood,
but my mother, being the doctor she’s
not, told me that I couldn’t because
my spleen had been removed,” said
Steven.
Later in his early radio
career, he began doing public service
announcements
promoting
blood
drives and the importance of regular
blood donation. This prompted Steven
to inquire further about his ability to
donate.
“I walked in and told the nurse about my
situation, but she said I was still eligible
to donate, so I started giving blood.”
Since his first donation, Steven
has become a regular blood donor. His
frequent blood donations helped him
become a blood services committee
member for his 96 donations through
aphaeresis for platelets, plasma and
red cells.
By the time he moved to
Virginia, Steven had already given 17
gallons of blood.
“The accident inspired me to become a
blood donor,” said Steven.
Because of his personal
experiences he encourages his children
to donate and believes everyone should
want to donate blood. Regarding those
who have not donated, Steven says,
“try it, you are a sales person for life.”
Steven also believes that current
donors have a responsibility to recruit
new donors and “sell the importance of
giving blood.” From recipient to donor,
Steven Walker has experienced all the
elements of blood donation. He has an
understanding of the process and its
importance. He feels strongly about the
effect people can have by taking the
time to make a donation.
“You’ve got to appreciate the feeling
you get after giving blood; you’re saving
someone’s life and it might not even be
someone you know, but it could be,”
said Steven.
Because of the severity of
his trauma, Steven lost a lot of blood.
During his surgery he required several
units just to keep him alive.
Waking up three days later,
Steven was greeted by medical staff
who seemed surprised that he had
become conscious. While being told
of the immense trauma his body had
suffered, Steven looked up to see
his arm, positioned in a sling above,
completely blue in color. The staff
was reluctant to reset the arm due to
Steven’s overall condition.
6
Steven Walker: recipient, donor and morning radio personality for WYCK in
Charlottesville, VA.
WINTER/SPRING 2012
Saying
“Thank You”
By Living Life
to Its Fullest
Arthea Bagby, also known as Artie to
her family and friends, has been battling
leukemia for four years, but never lets
it slow her down. At the young age of
70, she still goes to work every day at
her family-owned child day care center.
When talking to her family and friends
they only use words such as caring, heart
of gold, loving, courageous to describe
her personality and perseverance.
She is known in her close-knit
community as somebody who will always
be there to help a friend in need. Little
did Artie know, this past August she was
going to become the friend in need.
Two days before she was
scheduled to leave for her annual family
vacation, Artie began to feel sick and
went to the doctor where he informed
her that her blood count had dropped,
but it was nothing to worry about. She
went home thinking it was likely the
chemotherapy treatments that were
making her tired and decided to go to
bed early in order to get plenty of rest.
Feeling worse the next morning,
she went back to the doctor only to
learn she was in need of two units of
blood. The doctor instructed her to go
straight to Henrico Doctors’ Hospital to
be transfused. By the time she got there,
only ten minutes away, her blood count
had dropped even lower and she would
would require four units of blood.
“This was the third time I had been
admitted to the hospital in my whole life,”
said Artie.
The only other two times being
at birth and when giving birth to her
daughter. Artie’s body successfully
accepted the blood transfusion, and
she spent the night in the hospital to be
monitored.
Arthea “Artie” Bagby enjoying time with her son-in-law, Steve Rudd.
The very next day, after receiving
four units of blood, she was able to head
on to her family vacation.
blood that was available for her when
she needed it; therefore, Artie is grateful
to all blood donors.
“Thanks to Virginia Blood Services and
the wonderful people who donate, I am
here and able to make memories with
my family and friends each and every
day.” said Artie.
“By donating you are giving someone a
second chance at life, and giving them
the opportunity to be here with the ones
they love and what more could anyone
ask for.” said Artie. “The way I am
repaying my donors for what they did for
me is by living my life to the fullest every
day with the gifts they gave me.”
Now that Artie is a recipient,
her family has been inspired to become
blood donors. Since the transfusion,
her grandson and daughter have begun
donating. She has also inspired several
parents of the children she cares for to
donate as well as some of her friends
from the community and her church.
Artie says that she lives for the
love that she can give her family and
friends and that nothing else matters in
life. She believes that the power of that
love gives her the strength to get up and
go every day which has helped her to
become the person that she is today.
She is here today because four
selfless people decided to give blood;
The Augusta
Health Donor
Center has a
NEW location!
Check out our
latest center at
125 Lucy Lane in
Waynesboro, VA.
7
In Kind Contributors
6/01/11-12/01/11
American Family Fitness
Bar Loui
Bass Pro Shop
Ben & Jerry’s
Best Buy
Bojangles Chicken
Bonefish Grill
Buffalo Wild Wings
Cambria Suites Roanoke
Carinis Italian Restaurant
Carters Pig Pen BBQ
Charlottesville Radio Group
Cheeseburger in Paradise
Chick-fil-a
Chick-fil-a Willow Lawn
CiCi’s Pizza
Chipotle
ClearChannel Harrisonburg
Coffee Lane Café
Colonial Downs
Cox Media Group
Community Relations &
Promotions
Cracker Barrel
Crutchfield
Crutchfield Corporation
Cville Tickets
Dunkin’ Donuts
Escape Message
Firehouse Subs
Fresh Market
Funny Bone Comedy Club
G Force Go-Karts
Golden Corral
Gold’s Gym
Goodfellaz Pizza
Guadalajara Mexican
Haunts of Richmond
Hibachi Grill and Supreme Buffet
Hilton Hotel
Holiday Inn Harrisonburg
IK/Catering Italian Kitchen
Islamorada Fish Company
Jerry’s Automotive
Jersey Mike’s Colonial Heights
Jersey Mike’s VCU
Jimmy Johns
Keglers AMF Bowling
Kimora Day Spa
Krispy Kreme
Kroger
Lisa Everett
Longhorn Steakhouse
Massanutten Resort
McAlister’s Deli
McCormacks Bar & Grill
MIDAS of Richmond
Mr. J’s Bagels
Olive Garden
Omni Hotel Charlottesville
Outback
Panera Bread
Paramount Theater
Party Perfect
Piccola Pizza
Pizza Bella
Qdoba
Quaker Steak and Lube
Red Lobster Harrisonburg
Red Lobster Roanoke
Red Robin
Regal Cinemas
Revolutionary Soup
Richmond International
Raceway
Richmond Kickers
Shoe City
Shoneys
Shula’s Resturant
Smoothie King
St. Mary’s Hospital
Subway
Subway Emmet Rd.
Superstars
Target
TGIFridays
The Ponte
Tropical Smoothie Café
Walmart
Wendys
Wheeler Broadcasting
Whisky Grill
Wood Grill Buffet
Young Optometry
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:
182 Neff Avenue
Suites 11 & 12
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
Waynesboro, VA 22980
NEW 125 Lucy Lane
Waynesboro:
Charlottesville Area:
606 Albemarle Square
Charlottesville, VA 22901
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
www.facebook.com/vablood
www.twitter.com/vablood
www.YouTube.com/VBSsaveslives
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