The Indiana-Ohio Region of American Red Cross Blood Services hosted its annual recognition dinner at the Fort Wayne Marriott. This year’s theme of “Saving Lives by the Numbers” highlighted the many ways in which lives can be saved and how many those lives can affect. Guests at the dinner also learned Hands Only CPR so more lives might be saved in the future.
Awards were presented to recognize the outstanding achievements and volunteer service of individuals and businesses in our region. The following were recognized from LaPorte County.
The Outstanding Youth Volunteer Award recognizes the exemplary youth who find the time in between band practice, sports and academics to be involved in the important work of blood donation through the American Red Cross.
- Nolan Sampson
The First-Time Sponsor Award recognizes the businesses, churches and community organizations across the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region that hosted their first American Red Cross blood drive during the last year or that hosted a Red Cross blood drive after an absence of three or more years.
- Salem United Church of Christ
- Springfield Elementary School
- Orak Shrine Center
The Faithful Friends Award recognizes those sponsors who are always willing to open their doors when we need to use their facilities, even on short notice. They are dependable and dedicated to hosting blood drives especially when there is a critical need.
- Mill Creek Lion’s Club
- St. Anthony Health Hospital
- St. John Kanty
- Westville Correctional Center
The Creative Genius Award recognizes blood drive sponsors who gave employees incentives to donate or found additional organizations to provide food for donors. They developed creative promotions which gained media attention or sent individualized thank you notes to donors. Those are just a few of the innovative approaches that garnered these sponsors the title of Creative Genius.
- First Trust Credit Union
The Growing by Leaps and Bounds Award recognizes those blood drive sponsors who have either increased the pints of blood donated at their blood drives by 25 percent or more, or they have increased their drive frequency in the last year.
- Immanuel Lutheran Church
- LaPorte High School
- Sullair Corporation
The Lifesaver Award recognizes blood drive sponsors and coordinators who replaced drives that were cancelled, demonstrated flexibility when asked to sponsor a drive on short notice, accommodated unexpected scheduling changes, and still met or exceeded their goal.
- Trinity Lutheran Church
The Outstanding Volunteer Service Award recognizes the countless Red Cross volunteers who serve the community at blood drives, donation centers and local Red Cross chapters.
- Jean Bauer – Hometown: LaPorte
- Louise Gray – Hometown: LaPorte
- Marlene Kievert – Hometown: LaPorte
- Barb Taylor – Hometown: Rolling Prairie
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the American Red Cross Partnership Awards.
The Partnership Awards recognize the invaluable work of the chapters, hospitals and sponsors that support the Indiana-Ohio Region. Their active role and faithful support in the collection of blood products helped make this year a success.
The American Red Cross Chapters in the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region are invaluable to the successful recruitment and collection of blood products. Some, however, stand out for offering exceptional support. Following is a profile of a Chapter nominated for the Partnership Award by the Red Cross staff who work with them:
- American Red Cross of LaPorte County
Chapter Executive Bobbi Petru is very supportive of the ARC blood program. Bobbi coordinates volunteers at many LaPorte County blood drives. She is always willing to find volunteers to fill in for the blood drives which normally have their own volunteers. During Chapter Community functions, Bobbi puts on Buddy the Blood Drop suit and promotes our local blood drives.
Bobbi is well known in the community and while doing Chapter business and activities, she is routinely promoting blood drives and looking for sponsors to host drives for us. Whenever possible, she tries to incorporate a blood drive in a community event sponsored by the Chapter.
The LaPorte County Chapter is very active not only locally to assist those in need but also where needed throughout the country. They provide education and training to local schools, businesses and the community. The blood side is always included, educating the public about blood products and the need for donors at blood drives.
The hospitals nominated for the Hospital Partnership Award helped ensure a safe and continuous blood supply by supporting blood collections, forming special partnerships with the Red Cross Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region and participating in professional development opportunities.
- IU Health LaPorte Hospital
Much of the blood bank success of LaPorte is attributable to Jennifer Dennington. IU Health LaPorte Hospital is very supportive of educational events sponsored by the Red Cross. Jennifer disseminates the information presented to staff within her facility. She is proactive in updating policies in tune with current regulations and theory. By being mindful of inventory, Jennifer has successfully managed blood utilization and maintained utilization of Type O units at recommended levels. She takes the task of successful blood drives personally, always striving to reach or exceed goals.
IU Health LaPorte Hospital hosts a monthly blood drive, allowing employees to donate during work hours as well as inviting the public. The hospital also provides a lunch voucher to all presenting donors.
The Red Cross thanks these honorees and the entire community for its support of blood donation.
About the American Red Cross:
The Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region serves northern and central Indiana and northwestern Ohio, and needs to collect about 500 units of blood a day to meet patient need in 60 hospitals. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or join our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.