SRT employees are actively involved in improving the well-being of our communities on a daily basis. Early this year they continued the 18 year tradition of SRT blood drives with 33 employees participating.
The need for blood donations is especially high in the winter months when people are busy with the holiday season and staying home more in cold winter months. By hosting a blood drive at the SRT office, the company hopes to make it convenient for employees and their families and to encourage new blood donors.
SRT Blood Drive Longevity
Vitalant’s records of SRT blood drives date back to 2004, that is 18 years of employees donating blood for the community! Vitalant Donor Recruiter, Teresa Johnson, stated that SRT employees have “donated 835 units, which is about 104.375 gallons of blood” over the years. One blood donation unit can save up to three lives. “The total amount donated from SRT blood drives is the equivalent of saving 2,505 lives, or alternatively 80,995 premature babies being saved,” Johnson explained.
How It Works
Blood drives are critical to ensure enough blood is readily available when a patient in our area needs immediate help. Each event, donation goals are set based on a projection of the amount of blood that will be needed. Johnson adds, “SRT is a blood drive I don’t have to worry about meeting goals. The employees understand the importance of the blood drive and what it means to our community.” At SRT’s February blood drive, 33 units of blood were donated, surpassing the goal of 29 units.
It’s About The Experience
For a few employees, this blood drive was their first experience, but there were also 16 employees who have donated for five or more years. Six of those employees have donated blood for 20 years or more!
There are many reasons why someone chooses to donate blood. Vitalant Donor Recruiter Teresa Johnson shared “Donating blood is the ultimate random act of kindness. It doesn’t cost anything, and you are saving a life.”
Several employees began donating after family members received blood transfusions and it was eye-opening to see the great need for blood donations. One employee, Sheila D., shared that her first blood drive experience was at SRT 25 years ago and she continues to donate consistently. “I have the ideal blood type for donating,” Sheila said. “It’s a small contribution I can make to help save a life.” Paul I., who retired from SRT in 2018, has donated for over 40 years and keeps coming back to the SRT blood drive to help because he feels it is the right thing to do.
We thank all the employees who donated this year and appreciate their dedication to making this an even better place to live and work.
