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UNITED BLOOD SERVICES & THE THUNDERBIRDS JOIN FORCES TO SAVE LIVES
January 11 , 2005 by EditorUnited Blood Services, Arizona's largest non-profit community blood provider, today announced a powerful contribution to save lives by the FBR Open.
In an effort to build blood supplies quickly, all United Blood Services donors in January will be thanked with a voucher for a free FBR Open ticket, compliments of The Thunderbirds. With donations, the lifesaving effect of each donor can be doubled through a high-tech process that makes it possible to give multiple donations with only one visit to United Blood Services.
The voucher can be redeemed at the gate for one any-day pass to FBR Open events at the TPC of Scottsdale January 31st - February 6th.
The FBR Open and The Thunderbirds have dedicated their 2005 ¡§Power¡¨ donor campaign to Kellie Minor, an 11-year-old girl suffering from leukemia. Kellie captured the hearts of Valley viewers last month when she told her story on KPNX-TV 12 (NBC) and personally asked for more people to give blood. On July 3rd, she was diagnosed with the most aggressive form of leukemia, Acute Myelogenous Leukemia. Her disease came on suddenly while on a camping trip in Show Low. Within hours, she was air-evacuated to a Phoenix hospital, where immediate transfusions of platelets and red blood cells sustained her life. Since then, Kellie has strung together ¡§beads of courage¡¨ to represent each of the 37 lifesaving blood transfusions she has required, 20 of those collected in the past 19 days. ¡§Blood transfusions provided, not only the gift of life for Kellie, but gave the best holiday gift of all to her 47 family members,¡¨ said her mom, Tammy Agee. ¡§Because of blood donors, each of us was able to spend another Christmas with Kellie,¡¨ she added.
January is Arizona¡¦s highest blood usage month of the year, primarily due to surgeries that patients have postponed over the holiday season. While The Thunderbirds association with professional golf brings their organization the most recognition, it is their work with the community that brings their members the most satisfaction.
The Thunderbirds are doing all they can to make a difference for those who call Arizona their home.¡¨ said 2005 FBR Open Tournament Chairman and Thunderbird Bryon Carney. ¡§Knowing that more than 20,000 hospital patients are depending upon blood transfusions during the month of January, we were pleased to dedicate our resources to thanking those who provide the gift of life.¡¨ Carney added. United Blood Services has expanded its use of ¡§Power¡¨ donations to better meet patient needs, increase blood supplies and enhance donor convenience. ¡§Power¡¨ donations enable United Blood Services to expand Arizona¡¦s limited blood supply. Whole blood can be separated into components, such as red cells, platelets and plasma. Since most patients require only a specific component from whole blood, ¡§Power¡¨ donations provide patients with increased quantities of the desired component. The donor¡¦s blood type determines which component would help a patient the most. „X Power Red Blood Cell donors are needed for surgery and trauma patients, as well as premature babies. Red blood cells carry oxygen and nutrients to the body¡¦s tissues and organs. „X Power Platelet donors are needed for cancer and leukemia patients. Platelets are the component that helps blood to clot and controls bleeding. „X Power Plasma donors are needed for burn and shock patients. Plasma hydrates the body with a mixture of water, proteins and salts.
To receive a voucher for a complimentary FBR Open ticket, give a ¡§Power¡¨ donation at any United Blood Services donor center or organization-sponsored blood drive during January. To schedule an appointment, or for more information about giving blood or hosting a blood drive, contact United Blood Services. Call toll-free 1-877-448-GIVE (4483), 602-431-9500 in the Phoenix area, or visit www.BloodHero.com.
United Blood Services has scheduled blood drives at several Valley malls this weekend, operates eight donor centers and will host January blood drives in several Arizona communities: Valley Malls Sat. & Sun., Jan. 8 & 9, 11 a.m. ¡V 4 p.m. Fiesta Mall: bus @ east entry #2 between Sears & Macy¡¦s Paradise Valley Mall: bus on north patio between Food Court & Parking Garage Superstition Springs Center:
