Hospital Receives Blood Drive Award
Posted on Friday, April 5th, 2013
Blood Drive Recognized: Kelvin McMillan, blood drive coordinator for Mercy Health/Love County Hospital, accepts a recognition plaque from Oklahoma Blood Institute CEO, Dr. John Armitage, far right. Joining in the presentation are Sally Reser, Board president, and Susan Crews, executive director, both from the Ardmore Donor Center; and Richard Barker, hospital administrator
Mercy Health/Love County has been recognized as the most productive hospital for blood drives in the southern region of the Ardmore Donor Center.
The blood collection center covers eight counties in southeastern Oklahoma.
Kelvin McMillan, director of laboratory services and blood drive coordinator, accepted the hospital’s award at a donor appreciation banquet in Ardmore.
Making the award were Dr. John Armitage, CEO of the Oklahoma Blood Institute, and, from the Ardmore Donor Center, Sally Reser, president of the Board of Directors, and Susan Crews, executive director.
The hospital has collected over 400 pints of blood since 2007, the most recent OBI collection figures show.
OBI was served by 477 blood drives in 2012. It collected 13,857 pints, which ranked 9th in the nation.
Blood units are distributed to 150 hospitals in the state, as needed, for the benefit of patients who need life-saving blood transfusions. Each unit saves three lives.
To meet demand for blood, OBI needs to collect an average of 700 units per day, Armitage said.
Also recognized for local area blood drives in Love County were WinStar World Casino and Marietta Public Schools.
The casino led all donors in 2012 with 695 pints. The school was top donor in Class 3A with 144 pints.
Schools and colleges collect 40% of the annual goal, said Michelle McGuire, blood program consultant.
.