News & Events | Puget Sound Blood Center Recognizes Exceptional Local Volunteers

State’s largest Blood Center holds luncheon to honor volunteers and their contributions to the community blood supply

SEPTEMBER 30, 2003, SEATTLE — Though it serves 14 counties in the state, Puget Sound Blood Center will set aside Oct. 9 to exclusively recognize generous volunteers in two Western Washington counties. The Blood Center will host a ceremony at the Red Lion at the Quay in Vancouver, Wash. to honor donor coordinators and volunteers in Cowlitz and Clark Counties during its first annual awards luncheon, Partners in Life. Without the help of these individuals, it would not be possible to ensure a stable and adequate blood supply – for thousands of patients each year in need of lifesaving blood transfusions. This includes patients at Southwest Washington Medical Center and St. John Medical Center.

The award ceremony and luncheon takes place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the hotel, located at 100 Columbia St. in Vancouver. Featured speakers will include Richard Counts, M.D., president of Puget Sound Blood Center and Kay Elliott BA, MT (ASCP) SBB, a technical specialist at Southwest Washington Medical Center’s transfusion service.

The Blood Center’s Director of Donor and Volunteer Resources, Maria Elena Geyer, will present four awards to distinguished groups or individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to the community blood supply. Award recipients will be: the International Air Academy, Evergreen High School and local residents, Marilyn Overbey, of St. Rose Catholic Church, and Greta Railing, a Blood Center volunteer.

“Partners in Life gives us the opportunity to extend our gratitude directly to those who make it possible to have one of the nation’s most stable blood supplies,” said Geyer. “And while the generosity of blood donors is never overlooked, it would not be possible for the Blood Center to save thousands of lives each year if not for our volunteers. On behalf of the Blood Center and the community we serve, we applaud the donor groups, volunteers and coordinators in Cowlitz and Clark Counties.”

Making a significant difference to Clark County residents, the International Air Academy will receive the outstanding Donor Group Award for its remarkable achievement of registering nearly 2,000 blood donors during 35 community blood drives.

The Donor Group Coordinator Award will go to Marilyn Overbey, who has served as main blood drive coordinator for more than two years. Along with drive coordinators Netta Westrup, Kathryn Robbins, Annalee Hoffman and Lydia Keller, Overbey tirelessly organized blood drives at St. Rose Catholic Church in Longview, Wash., averaging 60 donors at each one. Through their dedication and flawless execution, this group has had a significant impact on the blood supply in Cowlitz and other counties in the state.

Evergreen High School in Vancouver achieved the highest percentage of first time donors for its size – signing up 96 percent of first-time donors. For this reason, the high school will receive the Blood Center’s High School Award. Across the state, 17 percent of the community blood supply comes from high schools. Evergreen’s outstanding results, in part, make a stable blood supply possible.

Greta Railing’s hard work and dedication earned her the Blood Center’s Volunteer Award. Since first volunteering in 1998, she has become a consistent fixture at Clark County blood drives – participating in more than 100 drives to date. Serving as volunteer coordinator, donor monitor and registration mentor, Railing helped to ensure that all aspects of blood drives were successful, from scheduling volunteers, to making sure that donors had a comfortable and enjoyable donation experience.

Note: If members of the press are interested in attending the event, please contact Steve McLean, Public Information Manager by phone, 206-292-6511 or pager, 206-680-2610.

About The Puget Sound Blood Center
Internationally recognized for groundbreaking research in transfusion and transplantation medicine, the nonprofit Puget Sound Blood Center is the resource for patients in Western Washington who need blood, tissue and specialized laboratory services. Founded in 1944, the Blood Center has a long and unique tradition of blending community volunteerism, medical science and research to improve patients’ lives. The Blood Center, which serves patients in more than 70 hospitals and clinics in 14 counties with blood services, provides tissue and transplantation support to 185 hospitals across the Northwest.