 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 | ||
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
March 2, 2007 CONTACT: Laura Little (903) 535-5435 AWARENESS IS HALF THE BATTLE IN SAVING LIVES LONGVIEW/MARSHALL, TX -- Stewart Regional Blood Center reminds East Texans that everyday people can do an extraordinary thing by donating the life saving gift of blood. According to statistics from America’s Blood Centers, a national network of community based blood banks, about three gallons of blood supports the entire nation’s blood needs for one minute. Without life saving blood transfusions, 4.5 million Americans would die each year. One out of every 10 people entering a hospital needs blood, and to those patients an adequate blood supply is crucial. If all blood donors gave blood two to four times a year, it would help prevent blood shortages we often face at different times of the year. Blood donors are needed now more than ever. As our population ages, our older dependable donors are not able to donate and many are becoming recipients of blood products. Advances in medical technology have also increased the demand for blood products. Volunteer blood donations help patients being treated for cancer, burns, cardiac problems, accidents, transplants, and sickle cell anemia. The only way to supply blood to the patients who depend on it is through volunteer donors. Individuals who have considered donating, or individuals who dislike needles need to focus on the end result. Up to three lives will be saved with their one blood donation. To give blood, donors must be at least 17 years of age or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and be feeling well. Donors are welcome at any of Stewart’s six convenient area donor center locations in Tyler, Longview, Lufkin, Marshall, Mount Pleasant and Paris. Stewart also hosts on-site blood drives in East Texas communities daily. Donor center directions, hours of operation and information on hosting on-site blood drives are available at 1-800-252-5584 or online at www.stewartblood.org.
February 22, 2007 CONTACT: Laura Little (903) 535-5435 FLU SEASON CONTRIBUTES TO LOW DONOR PARTICIPATION TYLER/LONGVIEW/MARSHALL/PARIS/MT. PLEASANT, TX--- Officials at Stewart Regional Blood Center are concerned as the supply of several blood types dips closer to inadequate levels. Increased appointment cancellations and declining participation at blood drives indicate the flu season is affecting donor eligibility. With many cancellations and deferrals being attributed to donors not feeling well enough to give, Stewart officials are concerned about the blood supply in the coming months. Flu season typically peaks January through March with the highest rate of employee absences from infection during January and February. Texas is already among the states listed with widespread flu activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control. (www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivity.htm) “The lives of sick and injured people in East Texas depend on blood treatments and transfusions,” said Stewart Regional Blood Center Vice-President and COO, John Drury. “No patient should have to be concerned that the blood they need might not be available. We urge those who are feeling well and healthy to step up and give to help prevent deficient levels.” To give blood, donors must be at least 17 years of age or older, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be feeling well. Donors are welcome at any of Stewart’s six convenient area donor center locations in Tyler, Longview, Lufkin, Marshall, Mount Pleasant and Paris. Stewart also hosts on-site blood drives in East Texas communities daily. Donor center directions, hours of operation and information on hosting on-site blood drives are available at 1-800-252-5584 or online at www.stewartblood.org. Stewart Regional Blood Center is a not-for-profit, community-based blood center, accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks, licensed by the Food and Drug Administration and affiliated with America’s Blood Centers.
February 15, 2007 CONTACT: Laura Little (903) 535-5435 BLOOD CENTER PRESIDENT RETIRES AFTER 18 YEARS LONGVIEW/MARSHALL, TX --- Stewart Regional Blood Center President Bill Grimes announced his retirement after a 40-year professional career in blood banking and laboratory medicine. Mr. Grimes joined Stewart Regional Blood Center in 1988 when he was named president and CEO. With him he brought nearly three decades of experience working in administrative management positions with hospitals, international medical laboratory corporations, and blood centers. A significant part of Mr. Grimes’ professional life has been his long history of involvement with organizations representing the industry of blood banking and medical technology. He has served as president of the American Society for Medical Technology, the South Central Association of Blood Banks, and the Texas Society for Medical Technology. Mr. Grimes has also served on the board of America’s Blood Centers. During the last 18 years, Mr. Grimes has participated in many Tyler civic organizations, and has served on the boards of the American Cancer Society-Smith County, the Texas Society to Prevent Blindness, United Way of Smith County and as chairman of the board of Drug Free Youth in Texas. Mr. Grimes was also chairman of the health services committee of the Tyler Chamber of Commerce. Stewart Regional Blood Center is a not-for-profit, community-based blood center, accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks, licensed by the Food and Drug Administration and affiliated with America’s Blood Centers.
February 9, 2007 CONTACT: Laura Little (903) 535-5435 BLOOD CENTER URGES EAST TEXAS STUDENTS TO LONGVIEW/MARSHALL, TX --- The application deadline for Stewart Regional Blood Center’s 2006-2007 scholarship program is Wednesday, February 14, 2007. Stewart’s Scholars is a scholarship program recognizing area students who demonstrate leadership and commitment to community service by participating in Stewart’s high school blood drive program. Stewart Regional Blood Center started the program in 2005-2006, and has awarded five scholarships to East Texas high school seniors. “Blood donors are needed every day to ensure that patient needs are met in our area hospitals,” said Kim Carter, director of development at Stewart Regional Blood Center. “High school blood drives provided 20 percent, or roughly 6,000 units, of Stewart’s blood supply last year alone, which demonstrates just how vital these drives are to our East Texas healthcare community. Stewart’s Scholars is a program that allows us to honor the spirit of leadership and altruism of young people who take a significant role in promoting blood donation and making these drives successful.” Each year through Stewart’s Scholars, scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors who have played an active roll in their campus blood drives by helping coordinate and promote drives, educate fellow students of the importance of giving, and encouraging students, faculty, staff and community members to participate. Previous winners include: Matthew Fisher of Big Sandy High School, Allison Smith of Clarksville High School, Jessica Potter of Ore City High School, Megan Roe of Palestine High School, and Kelley Sandidge of Pine Tree High School. To apply, students must complete an application and two-page essay on motivating students to continue giving after leaving school. From all eligible applicants, five East Texas seniors will be selected to receive a $1,000 scholarship toward post-secondary education. An additional $500 will be given to their school for graduation activities. The Stewart’s Scholars program is open to graduating seniors from high schools registered in Stewart’s blood drive program and hosting a minimum of two blood drives within a calendar year. Applications are available in the office of participating schools or online at www.stewartblood.org. More information on student applications or school registration for the program is available at (903) 535-5452. To give blood, donors must be at least 17 years of age or older, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be feeling well. Donors are welcome at any of Stewart’s six convenient area donor center locations in Tyler, Longview, Lufkin, Marshall, Mount Pleasant and Paris. Stewart also hosts on-site blood drives in East Texas communities daily. Donor center directions, hours of operation and information on hosting on-site blood drives are available at 1-800-252-5584 or online at www.stewartblood.org. Stewart Regional Blood Center is a not-for-profit, community-based blood center, accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks, licensed by the Food and Drug Administration and affiliated with America’s Blood Centers. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Laura Little (903) 535-5435 EAST TEXAS BLOOD DONOR CELEBRATES 100TH DONATION LONGVIEW/MARSHALL, TX — February 2, 2007 – For the 100th time, Tyler resident Keith Hammonds shared the gift of life at Stewart Regional Blood Center on Wednesday, February 1, 2007. This dedicated blood donor has been saving lives at Stewart for more than 20 years as a tribute to his father, also a regular blood donor, who sadly passed away when Keith was in his teens. “We are so proud of Keith, he is truly a role model,“ says Stewart COO John Drury. “Such dedication is rare, but is so vital to the community blood program. Through his donations, Keith is responsible for saving lives by making literally hundreds of blood transfusions possible for patients in East Texas hosptials.” Keith gives regularly at the donor room at the Tyler office of Stewart Regional Blood Center. He prefers to give using a special automated donation process called apheresis (pronounced AYE-fur-ee-sis). Based on blood type, time available and giving frequency, donors can use automated donations as a simple and safe way to maximize their precious contribution to the community blood supply. The automated donation process uses a specialized euipment and a single-use sterile kit to separate specific components during the donation. Human blood is made up of three main components -- red cells, platelets and plasma – and each has a vital role in patient healthcare. Red cells are used for oxygen transport throughout the body and are commonly needed for surgeries and traumas. Plasma makes up the majority of the blood’s volume and has many uses for patients with burns or severe blood loss. Platelets are protiens essential for clotting and are frequently used by patients recovering from cancer or leukemia. Blood type compatibility of components is critical for patient care. For example, type O red cells can be given to patients of any blood type, but type O plasma can only be transfused to patients of the same type. To maximize each lifesaving donation, donors of blood types O and B are encouraged to give red cell donations. Donors of groups A and AB are encouraged to ask about plasma and platelet donations. “I’ve been giving apheresis donations as long as I can remember,” says Keith. “It’s been around a long time, it’s painless.” And, after 100 donations, he should know. Inspired by his father’s frequent blood donation, Keith says giving has become somewhat of a family tradition. Stewart Regional Blood Center salutes Keith and hopes others will join his daughter to be inspired by his giving spirit. To give blood, donors must be at least 17 years of age or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and be feeling well. The Longview donor center, located at 504 East Loop 281, is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The Marshall Donor center, located on the second floor of Marshall Regional Medical Center, is open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. More information about automated donations is available at Stewart Regional Blood Center 1-800-252-5584 or at www.stewartblood.org (under Donor Guidelines and Types of Donations, Apheresis.) Stewart Regional Blood Center is a not-for-profit, community-based blood center, accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks, licensed by the Food and Drug Administration and affiliated with America’s Blood Centers. Your business or organization can set up a blood drive, or request an educational speaker by calling Charlotte Jordan at 903-758-3056. COMMUNITY BLOOD CENTERS UNITE TO SERVE PATIENTS IN NORTH CENTRAL AND EAST TEXAS. Carter BloodCare and Stewart Regional Blood Center agree to merge. DALLAS/ FORT WORTH/ WACO/TYLER, TX — February 1, 2007 – Earlier this week, Dallas / Fort Worth-based Carter BloodCare and Tyler-based Stewart Regional Blood Center announced that the two organizations will merge later this spring. Both centers have deep community roots, dating back to the 1950’s, and together provide more than 330,000 units of lifesaving blood annually for patients in nearly 300 hospitals in 56 North Central and East Texas counties. “By joining forces, these two Texas institutions will combine more than 160 years of blood-banking expertise to help meet growing healthcare demands in our region,” says Carter BloodCare president and CEO, Dr. Merlyn Sayers. “Together, we will continue to build on a long-standing tradition of serving patients by making transfusions possible in our communities.” The decision to merge was made following a rigorous review and unanimous vote by the Boards of Directors of both centers. An interim management agreement is now in effect until the merger on or before April 1, 2007. Jointly, Carter BloodCare and Stewart will work to consolidate business operations, maximize blood donation and promote high standards for excellence in community blood banking. Once fully merged, Carter BloodCare and Stewart will be able to welcome donors at 26 permanent donor centers, host up to 30 daily blood drives, maintain a fleet of more than 110 donor coaches and distribution vehicles, and employ nearly 1,000 Texas residents. The organization will also provide unique specialty transfusion services including the Tyler HLA testing laboratory, the second-largest database for HLA matched platelets in the US , two branches of the National Marrow Donor Program, a rare donor registry and around-the-clock consultation with on-staff medical directors. “While this merger increases the services we can provide, dedicated blood donors are at the very heart of our community blood program,” says Stewart Regional Blood Center COO, John Drury. “We encourage them to continue sharing the gift of life at our donor centers and blood drives.” Carter BloodCare and Stewart Regional Blood Center are not-for-profit, community-based blood centers, accredited by the American Association of Blood Banks, licensed by the Food and Drug Administration and affiliated with America’s Blood Centers. News Release January 27, 2007 Contact: Laura Little Type O Blood Needed The blood supply, recently upset by winter weather and holiday shortages, is slowly getting closer to adequate levels, but a critical need for type O blood remains a threat to unexpected traumas. The response from the community has been a testament to the kind of generosity found in East Texas. We care about our neighbors, and our neighbors care about us. When it comes to saving lives, that’s what it’s all about. We’re thankful for our repeat donors, and also for the many first-timers who came to give after hearing how badly we needed them. Still many units of blood are needed to close the gap, but people with type O blood are especially urged to donate. Type O-negative can be transfused to people of all blood types, but O-negative people can only receive O-negative blood. Type O-positive can be given to those with positive blood types. In trauma cases, type O-negative is the first line of defense until a patient’s blood type is determined. Sudden emergencies, like car accidents or shootings, can quickly drain O-negative levels. Sometimes newborn infants require transfusions immediately after birth, and often need type O-negative blood. The Longview donor center, located at 504 East Loop 281, is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The Marshall Donor center is located in Marshall Regional Medical Center on the second floor and is open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information about donating blood, or the blood center visit www.stewartblood.org. Your business or organization can set up a blood drive, or request an educational speaker by calling Charlotte Jordan at 903-758-3056.
News Release January 19, 2007 Contact: Laura Little Winter Storms Impact Blood Supply Winter storms and icy road conditions caused the cancellation of all area blood drives and the closing of five donor centers Wednesday, leaving Stewart Regional Blood Center in Tyler the only place where people could give blood. Freezing rain stretched across East Texas and forced many potential donors to stay home, while causing havoc for people who had to get behind the wheel. Less people on the road, means less donors. Hazardous traveling conditions mean more accidents. The constraints on improving the blood supply are getting more critical by the day. An EMERGENCY APPEAL for blood donors was issued two weeks ago when the supply of all blood types fell into the critical category. Blood levels improved only slightly, but the added damper of the bad weather has pushed levels down even farther. All types are seriously needed, especially O-positive, O-negative and A-positive. The widespread implications of the holidays and winter weather have drained blood supplies across the nation, eliminating the ability to import units from other centers. Treatments and surgeries may have to be put on hold, and that could put patients at risk. We’ve seen enough tragedies and natural disasters just in the last several years to know that they happen when we least expect it, but they don’t have to happen when we’re least prepared. Stewart Regional Blood Center has been the primary provider of life-saving blood products in East Texas for over 55 years, serving 24 counties including 30 facilities. The Longview donor center, located at 504 East Loop 281, is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The Marshall Donor center is located in Marshall Regional Medical Center on the second floor and is open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information about donating blood, or the blood center visit www.stewartblood.org. Your business or organization can set up a blood drive, or request an educational speaker by calling Charlotte Jordan at 903-758-3056.
News Release January 12, 2007 Contact: Laura Little Donors Needed to Save Lives The blood supply remains at critical levels, and Stewart Regional Blood Center urges people to donate if they have not yet responded to the Emergency Appeal issued last week. Two of the most common reasons given by people who don’t give blood are “I never thought about it” and “I’m scared of needles.” Those responses might be different if a loved one suddenly needed blood transfusions to survive. Approximately 40,000 units of blood are used each day in the United States, and more than 150 units a day in East Texas. One out of every 10 people admitted into a hospital needs blood. It is common for a single trauma victim to require 50 units of blood or more. If blood is not immediately available for life-saving procedures, a patient may not survive. Regular donors are always needed to ensure that the live of sick and injured people can be saved. The Longview donor center, located at 504 East Loop 281, is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The Marshall Donor center is located in Marshall Regional Medical Center on the second floor and is open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information about donating blood, or the blood center visit www.stewartblood.org. Your business or organization can set up a blood drive, or request an educational speaker by calling Charlotte Jordan at 903-758-3056.
News Release January 5, 2007 Contact: Laura Little Officials Issue a PUBLIC APPEAL Officials at Stewart Regional Blood Center are issuing a PUBLIC APPEAL for blood donors, as the blood supply continues dropping to dangerous levels. All eight blood types have fallen into the critical category, and six blood types have five or less units on the shelf. This represents a crisis situation for patients in East Texas. Holiday shortages are experienced by blood centers nationwide, but this is the worst Stewart has faced in five years. Importing blood from other centers dealing with the same situation will be difficult. If patients have to wait too long to receive life-saving transfusions or treatments, lives could be lost. It will take an estimated 200 units a day for the next seven days to bring the blood supply back to adequate levels, restock hospitals and build a reserve. All eligible donors are urged to give blood as soon as possible. The entire process takes only about an hour. Potential donors must be healthy, at least 17 years old, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, and should drink plenty of water and eat before donating. The Longview donor center, located at 504 East Loop 281, is open Monday-Friday 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and on the second and fourth Saturday of each month from 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. The Marshall Donor center is located in Marshall Regional Medical Center on the second floor and is open Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. For more information about donating blood, or the blood center visit www.stewartblood.org. Your business or organization can set up a blood drive, or request an educational speaker by calling Charlotte Jordan at 903-758-3056.
|