Recognizing Extraordinary Commitment to Blood Donation 

 

DEERFIELD, Ill., November 20, 2006 – Baxter Healthcare Corporation announced today the induction of blood donors from 13 blood centers across the country to the company’s Donation Hall of Fame. The Donation Hall of Fame, now entering its ninth year, recognizes individuals nationwide who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to blood donation. These outstanding blood donors will be honored over the next few weeks at awards ceremonies at their local blood centers.

 

“Each and every donor inducted into the Donation Hall of Fame is an amazing individual, and we are honored to be able to thank them with this award,” said Kevin McCulloch, general manager for Baxter’s Transfusion Therapies division.  “The gift of blood is a gift of life and we hope these donors’ stories will inspire others to support their communities through blood donation.” 

 

This year’s inductees to the Baxter Donation Hall of Fame include Mark Smith, who was nominated by Virginia Blood Services (VBS).  The owner of six MIDAS franchises across the Richmond area, Mark has sponsored 36 blood drives since 2003. He advertises these events through local radio stations, and over the years has provided approximately 1,200 donors with coupons for a free oil change as a way of thanking them for their blood donation.  Smith also serves as a champion for business-sponsored blood drives among MIDAS franchise owners.  Currently, 15 other MIDAS franchise owners across the country have followed his lead.    

 

Another extraordinary inductee into this year’s Donation Hall of Fame comes from the Community Blood Center in Dayton, Ohio who nominated John A. Kalaman.  In 1998, John and his wife Paula suffered the tremendous loss of their son, John P. Kalaman, a Centerville, Ohio police officer who was killed while responding to an accident on an icy stretch of highway.  The family decided that the best way to honor their son and keep him in the hearts of their community was to set up an annual community blood drive in his name.  Since 1998, John has donated blood 66 times, and in April, 2006, the day that would have been their son’s 38th birthday, the Kalaman’s hosted the 9th annual John P. Kalaman Memorial blood drive.  The drive generates widespread community involvement, resulting in nearly 1,700 donations to date.    

 

Blood centers across the country submitted nominations for this year’s Donation Hall of Fame.  Winners were chosen based on their demonstrated commitment and passion to donating blood and encouraging blood donation.  Each winner will receive a personalized award from Baxter and will be featured in the company’s newsmagazine, Continuous Flow, as well as a special 2007 calendar provided to U.S. blood centers.  Additional inductees to the 2006 Baxter Donation Hall of Fame are:

• Marge Foster, nominated by Shasta Blood Center in Redding, CA
• Lee Holloway, nominated by UBS-Paradise Valley in Phoenix, AZ
• Vance Buell, nominated by Lane Memorial Blood Bank in Eugene, OR
• Judy Kees,  nominated by American Red Cross, Tri City Donor Center in Richland, WA
• Jerry Spellman, nominated by LifeSource Chicagoland’s Blood Center in  Glenview, IL
• Amber Swartz, nominated by American Red Cross, Heart of America Region in Peoria, IL
• Theresa Hile, nominated by American Red Cross, River Valley Blood Services Region in Louisville, KY
• Larry and Nadine Tindell, nominated by Community Blood Center in Topeka, KS
• Donald Tilson, nominated by Research Blood Program Holland Laboratory, American Red Cross in Rockville, MD
• Stephen “Rocky” Snow, nominated by American Red Cross in Springfield, MA 
• Perry Rowles, Sr., nominated by American Red Cross in Greater Alleghenies Region, Johnstown, PA

 

About Blood Donation

 

Currently blood donors are the only source of blood for transfusion.  When donating blood, people give a pint of whole blood or donate a specific blood component via an automated system.  With a whole blood or “manual” blood donation, the donated unit is separated into its therapeutic components providing one unit of red blood cells and a partial dose of platelets and plasma.  When donating on an automated system, a donor gives approximately the same amount of blood, but more of a specific component that is in highest demand for their blood type and other donor characteristics.  

 

Results from an America’s Blood Center’s study presented at the AABB annual meeting held in October of 2006, show that nearly one in five people in the United States plans to donate blood in the next year. Donating the most needed components, such as red blood cells and platelets, was the primary reason mentioned by more than 50 percent of respondents who intended to make their next donation on an automated collection system. 

 

Approximately 14 million units of red blood cells, 10 million platelet units and 4 million units of plasma are transfused annually in the United States.

 

To make a blood donation or to learn more about donating blood, please contact your local blood center.  To learn more about this year’s Donation Hall of Fame inductees or to submit a nomination for the 2007 Donation Hall of Fame, please visit www.BaxterTransfusionTherapies.com.

 

About Baxter

 

Baxter’s Transfusion Therapies division offers a comprehensive portfolio of products and services for the collection and processing of blood.  For more than 60 years, Baxter’s medical advances have helped shape the practice of blood transfusion therapy. 
Baxter Healthcare Corporation is the principal domestic operating subsidiary of Baxter International Inc. (NYSE: BAX). Baxter International Inc., through its subsidiaries, assists healthcare professionals and their patients with the treatment of complex medical conditions, including cancer, hemophilia, immune disorders, kidney disease and trauma. The company applies its expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to make a meaningful difference in patients’ lives. For more information about Baxter, please visit www.baxter.com.