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.