HRMC Celebrates Blood Donors

Local blood donors were celebrated as life-saving heroes, on Wednesday, June 14, at Huron Regional Medical Center’s annual donor recognition luncheon.

HRMC honored a total of 48 donors who, in their lifetimes, have donated between 3 and 18 gallons of blood. Since each donor can only donate one pint of blood every 56 days (or six times per year), it takes a donor approximately four years of continuous donations to achieve the three-gallon threshold. HRMC blood donors are publicly recognized once they reach this minimum threshold and every gallon thereafter at the annual banquet as well as on a recognition board located near the emergency room entrance just outside the main laboratory.

The donors in attendance enjoyed a complimentary lunch of filet mignon, Italian salad, garlic-cheddar biscuits, twice baked potatoes and mini cheesecakes prepared by the HRMC food service staff.

Next, several HRMC leaders personally thanked them for their life-saving gifts. HRMC’s New Pathologist Dr. Rick Sarli, who serves as the blood bank medical director, also thanked the donors and emphasized the importance of having a safe, local supply of blood for patients and the community.

HRMC’s blood bank meets rigid accreditation standards required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) and the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA).

Donors achieving the gallon milestone includes:

3 Gallons

Nina Pribyl

Judith Tschetter

Phillip VanDiepen

4 Gallons

Robert Neitzert

Gregory McGill

Samuel T. Waldner

Marlene Fullerton

Rosco Roberts

5 Gallons

Jay Slater

Stewart Friedrichsen

Angel Perez Colon

 6 Gallons

Ricky Sammons

Carroll Fullerton

David Converse

Eva Wipf

Janna Rose

Lance Lee

7 Gallons

Peggy Cyphert

Michael Lyon

Micheal Pratt

Robert Blue

Larry Quam

Conrad Yost

Lonnie Penner

Victoria Kleinsasser

 8 Gallons

Rick Grace

Levi Waldner

9 Gallons

Monica Buesing

Dan Brake

Greg Blue

Neil Poulisse

Ruben Waldner

10 Gallons

Allen Greenfield

Chris Waldner

11 Gallons

Brian Pederson

Lannie Pullman

Leo Pollock

12 Gallons

Robert VanDiepen

Terry Rohlfs

Gary Pribyl

13 Gallons

Carl Maas

Cheryl Costello

Sandra Ehrk

16 Gallons

Robert Glanzer

John Coughlin

 17 Gallons

Rita Hilgedick

Alan Thomas

18 Gallons

Karen Greenfield

Donors age 17 and older can donate up to one pint of blood every 56 days. The process is simple, confidential and takes about a half an hour. Community members interested in donating blood can call 605-353-6530 to schedule an appointment. For convenience, appointments are available Monday through Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Information about donating blood is posted on HRMC’s website at www.huronregional.org.