The Blood Donor Center has turned over more than just a new leaf: It recently turned over 45 of them.
 The Glendora High School Jazz Band performs at a luncheon honoring blood donors. (Photo by Jill Schwarz) |
Every time a blood donor hits the major milestone of making 20 whole-blood donations or 40 platelet donations, City of Hope staff members etch the donor’s name on a golden leaf. They place these leaves on a decorative tree in the lobby of the Michael Amini Transfusion Medicine Building to honor donors’ commitment.
Blood Donor Center staff awarded the nearly four dozen leaves at its annual donor recognition event, held in Cooper Auditorium on March 19. More than 550 leaves now garnish the verdant tree.
“Our patients depend so much on the generosity of people who give blood and blood products time and time again,” said Gay Almquist, director of the Blood Donor Center. “We’re happy to be able to recognize our donors.”
The Blood Donor Center also honored donors who hit these milestones: 50 whole-blood donations and 100 and 200 platelet donations. James L. Filkins, R.N. (a City of Hope apheresis nurse), Thomas L. Lindley and Dirk Van Rensburg received awards for surpassing 200 platelet donations.
The event included a tour of City of Hope’s new bloodmobile. “We are always looking for new opportunities for blood drives,” said Kasie Uyeno, directed donor coordinator. “Hopefully the bloodmobile will help open doors that were otherwise not available.”
To learn more about donating blood at City of Hope, visit www.cityofhope.org/blooddonorcenter, call 626-471-7171 or send an email to donateblood@coh.org.
