Courtesy photo
Lifeblood’s fifth annual Donor Fest celebration, an event designed to thank Lifeblood’s donors, took place on Saturday at St. Benedict at Auburndale High School in Memphis.
The event highlighted Lifeblood’s donors as well as the celebration of World Blood Donor Day. World Blood Donor Day serves to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products.
The special day is also a chance to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood. The Mid-South is home to a unique medical community with a Level 1 trauma center, pediatric hospital, children’s cancer research hospital, and many other health facilities that require blood throughout the year.
The celebration included breakfast from Chick-fil-A, sno-cones, balloon animals, face painting, kids’ activities and recognition of 343 All-Star donors — those who have donated six or more times since Donor Fest 2013.
More than 210 people participated in the human blood drop on the high school’s soccer field, including Lifeblood employees, donors, families and volunteers.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome of Donor Fest 2014,” said Susan Berry-Buckley, president and CEO of Lifeblood.
She continued, “We are humbled by the selflessness of our donors, and we truly appreciate the life-saving gift of blood they continually provide to patients in need in our community. This celebration is our chance to honor them for their generosity they exhibit throughout the year.”
Donor Fest is taking place at all of Lifeblood’s five neighborhood donor centers and at mobile blood drives until July 3. The purpose of Donor Fest is to increase blood donations during the summer, which is often the most difficult time for patients who require blood, as the need is high but donations are low.
For more information about Lifeblood and its operations, visit their website at lifeblood.com.
