Scanners Save Lives

Slightly misleading headline, but 100 percent true: in this case, though, it’s not the hardware but the professionals who run them that made a difference. On Monday, February 1st, twenty three staff members from St. John Properties’ Westview Business Park in Frederick, MD – 12 of them from The Crowley Company – participated in a Red Cross Blood Drive coordinated by volunteer (and Crowley relative) Kathleen Crowley.

“I’ve been volunteering with the Red Cross for about 30 years,” explains Crowley, “and became an active Blood Drive Chair about ten years ago.

Crowley employees Angela Terrant, Cassie Hahn, Daniel Cocci, Tanya French and Andrew Morris pose in front of the Red Cross bloodmobile during Monday's blood drive.
Crowley employees Angela Terrant, Cassie Hahn, Daniel Cocci, Tanya French and Andrew Morris pose in front of the Red Cross bloodmobile during Monday’s blood drive.

Ironically, it took the first 15 years for me to get over my own fear of giving blood. Once I did, I found it was easy, painless and provided me with a sense of fulfillment. I wanted to spread the word about how easy it is to donate and its importance.”

The “word” came to our corporate campus via a school-bus-turned-clinic. Equipped with a reception bench, a coat closet, three intake offices (3’x4’ cubicles – a tight squeeze for two!), four vinyl reclining seats with arm rests, sited where traditional bus seats would be, minimal storage space, a refreshment “lounge” (a seat for two), four Red Cross professionals and an equal number of donors, the bloodmobile is a study in efficiency. One has the sense of what it might be like in a third world country where medical care is scarce and a mobile clinic would act as doctor’s office and hospital. It’s very humbling.

Donors Speak

First time donor Cassie Hahn, technical support administrator, described her experience: “It was a bit intimidating at first but once everything got hooked up, I had an overwhelming feeling of pride – not only in myself, but in the whole Red Cross organization. Having the bloodmobile at our doorstep was the push I needed to donate.”

And although Tanya French, scanner operator, has donated plasma before – a more involved process – it was her first time giving blood. “I’ve had surgery and lost a lot of blood,” says French. “A transfusion was one of the treatment options and, although I chose a different route, it was good to know I had the choice.”

On the other end of the spectrum is Daniel Cocci, who estimates that this was his 15th time donating blood. Says Cocci, “I enjoy finding new places to donate and appreciate the opportunity to help save a life.”

When asked why they chose to give blood, most donors gave a similar answer to Angela Terrant, corporate sales assistant: “I know that there is a desperate need for blood, so if I can help out, I will.” A little more creative answer came from Hannah Clawson, technical support administrator, who noted that a deep inner need to do good was her driving force; “I feel the same pressures as Superman,” she said. For the record, she’d look great in a cape.

Other company blood donors included: Joey Orlandi, Andrew Marcou, Kathy Hubbard, Rich Jackson (who – when the left arm didn’t work, offered his right), Andrew Morris, Kathy Crowley and myself.

The Difference We Can Make

Each pint of blood can be used for up to three recipients.

Kristine Dehais, Red Cross Account Manager of Donor Recruitment, shared that, “The Red Cross has been struggling the past few weeks due to the holiday season and the storm [Jonas] which shut down our region for three days. These 23 units can potentially save up to 69 lives. Thank you.”

A few facts:

  • Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood
  • Approximately 41,000 blood donations are needed every day
  • The average red blood cell transfusion is approximately 3 pints
  • The blood type most often requested by hospitals is Type O
  • The blood used in an emergency is already on the shelves before the event occurs
  • More than 1.6 million people were expected to be diagnosed with cancer in 2015. Many of them will need blood, sometimes daily, during their chemotherapy treatment.
  • A single car accident victim can require as many as 100 pints of blood

With her first Frederick County (Md.) blood drive complete, Crowley hopes to organize another in the Fall. Screw your courage, hold the tattoo (it has to be twelve months before you can donate) and plan to join us. For more information about giving blood in your area, visit http://www.redcross.org.

About The Crowley Company

The Crowley Company is a world leader in analog and digital imaging systems and services and is – to our knowledge – the only blend of manufacturer, distributor and service bureau in the industry. This dynamic combination allows Crowley to provide multi-layered solutions to the complexities of archival preservation and records management. The company has locations in Frederick, Maryland, San Dimas, California and Basingstoke, UK.

Cheri BakerCheri Baker, Crowley’s former Director of Communications, has retired but retains her love for writing and all things Crowley. With a career that spans newspaper, agency and corporate communications, her goal remains to dig behind the scenes and tell the story - whatever it may be. Find Cheri Baker on LinkedIn+


 

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