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Monthly Donor Recognition
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Each month, Florida Blood Services recognizes our most outstanding donors.
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August 2009
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Frank Knight - 100 Gallon Donor
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Retired Gibbs High School Teacher Reaches 100 Gallons
He donated his first pint of blood at a ROTC blood drive at Florida State University in 1959; he donated his
100th Gallon on August 18, 2009.
Like clockwork, Franklin Knight III walks into Florida Blood Services' St. Petersburg Donor Center every 14 days
with a smile on his face. "I schedule everything else around this appointment," Knight admitted. A dedicated blood donor,
Knight understands the vital importance of his biweekly visit.
Knight has helped save many lives throughout the years. It began in 1959 when an elderly neighbor desperately needed blood.
"I saw where donating blood really made a difference. I was amazed to discover that donating blood would go so far to keep this
gentleman alive; my simple contribution to his longevity really made me feel great," said Knight. He made his first platelet
donation in 1979 and has remained a faithful every two weeks donor.
Donating platelets is extremely important to trauma patients, transplant patients and open-heart surgeries. By donating
platelets, you can also help cancer patients whose platelet count has diminished. It takes six to ten whole blood donations to
equal one platelet donation.
"Knight’s life long pledge to saving lives is outstanding." stated Kate Quigley, Manager of the St. Petersburg Donor Center,
"He is a champion and inspiration to us all and we should all follow in his footsteps. We are honored to add him to our Century Club
plaque. We don't have to reach 100 gallons to be heroes, donating once makes you a hero in your community. If everyone would donate
two or three times a year, we would not have blood shortages."
Thank you Frank for all you do to save lives in the community.
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July 2009
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Michele Jensen, donor and Wesley Chapel Staff
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Michele Jensen Reaches 50 Gallons
Ms. Michele Jensen started donating blood in 1982 because the bloodmobile came to her work. Michele
didn't realize how important her donations would be until her mother had cancer and she had to receive
transfusions as part of her treatment. Soon after her mother's diagnosis, Michele began donating platelets.
When she first started donating platelets, Michele came in once a month to donate, now she donates platelets
every two weeks.
"Michele knows the importance of donating blood products, since her mother had to have transfusions." states
Janice Oliver, Donor Charge for the Wesley Chapel Donor Center. "She donates for all the right reasons and we
appreciate her so much. She has donated more than 400 pints of lifesaving blood products."
On behalf of patients that she has saved and the Wesley Chapel Donor Center staff, FBS would like to thank Michele
for her volunteering two hours every two weeks to donate the gift of life.
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June 2009
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Lisa Rau, producer for Studio 10 accepts the 2009 FABB Media Award from Richard Gammon, MD, President of FABB
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10 Connects - WTSP Wins Florida Association of Blood Banks 2009 Media Award
10 Connects - WTSP has provided outstanding support to help increase blood and marrow donation, education, and awareness in
the Tampa Bay area for 15 years.
10 Connects - WTSP held two promotional blood drives in 2008. The Martin Luther King Jr. Day blood drive, produced 651 donors
and we were able to collect 587 good units. The summer drive proved to be even more successful and lifesaving! The All America
Drive focused on our men and women in the Armed Services and the fact that Florida Blood Services (FBS) is one of seven blood
centers that ships blood products to help save the lives of injured soldiers. As a result, FBS registered 1244 donors and collected
1012 successful units.
They support the drives through Public Service Announcements, and by allowing FBS to come on their daytime show, Studio 10 and talk
about the need for blood and marrow donors. Studio 10 also features patient testimonials to stress the importance of why we need the
community to donate blood.
Signing up marrow donors, especially minorities, is an issue 10 Connects - WTSP has also incorporated into their education and drives.
Over the past five years, 430 people have joined the National Marrow Donor Program Registry. Not only do they support blood and
marrow donation during their two annual regional drives, but they also continually cover news stories.
10 Connects - WTSP deserves to be recognized for their continued commitment and lifesaving dedication and education, as it has allowed
immeasurable lives to be saved.
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May 2009
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Ceridian's high gallon donors
Florida Blood Services Recognizes Ceridian Benefit Services for Dedication to Helping the Community
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St. Anthony’s Hospital Blood Donors Celebrate Accomplishments
Florida Blood Services (FBS) recently commemorated the blood drive achievements for Ceridian Benefit Services employees
by hosting a recognition breakfast. Ceridian Benefit Services blood drives have collected 567 lifesaving units in 2008
and 2009. They have potentially helped save 1,701 lives.
The blood drive goals could not be achieved without the help of Ms. Michelle Dube. Ms. Dube is a two gallon blood
donor and volunteers her time to help educate, recruit, and retain blood donors.
"Everyone at Ceridian should be commended for their lifesaving efforts," states April Threinen, Community Relations
Representative for Florida Blood Services. "Michelle and the employees at Ceridian have such a great attitude and we want
to thank them for taking the time out of their day to help people in the community."
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April 2009
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St. Anthony's Hospital employees donating the gift of life
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St. Anthony’s Hospital Blood Donors Celebrate Accomplishments
The staff who work at St. Anthony’s Hospital know the importance of saving lives. The hospital and Florida Blood
Services (FBS) recently celebrated their blood drive accomplishments by hosting a Blood Donor Appreciation Breakfast.
In 2008, the employees donated 292 units of blood, possibly saving over 850 lives. So far in 2009, they have donated
137 units. They have several more drives to go and are on track to beat the new goal of 350 units.
St. Anthony’s Hospital has been hosting FBS for many years. The person in charge of the blood drives is Sister Rosemarie
Infinito, Mission Project Coordinator. She took over as blood drive coordinator last year and has been a tremendous help
in trying to get staff and visitors to donate blood. She provides education and promotion to help each blood drive reach
it's goal of success.
"The employees' commitment to saving lives is excellent." states April Threinen, Community Relations Coordinator for FBS.
"It’s great to have such a committed group of people who care so much about the patients." FBS staff would like to thank each
individual for the pledge they have made.
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March 2009
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University Community Hospital Donors
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University Community Hospital Blood Donors Celebrate Achievements
Employees, volunteers and hospital guests at University Community Hospital (UCH) celebrated their blood
drive accomplishments on Tuesday, January 13, 2009. UCH collected 727 units of blood and potentially
helped save 2,181 lives. UCH has been hosting blood drives at their main hospital location for many years.
UCH employees and guests have given a total of 3,686 units of blood since 2003 and potentially helped save 11,058 lives.
"The employees' commitment to saving lives is extraordinary." states Lory Jones, Community Relations Representative
for Florida Blood Services. FBS staff would like to thank these individuals for the pledge they have made.
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February 2009
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Jackie Waldron, FBS Marketing Coordinator; Ericka Farr, Donor Systems staff; Ethel Grimsley, Blood Donor;
Evelyn Rogers: FBS Community Relations Coordinator; Mary Jane Badillo, TGH Community Relations Manager
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Tampa General Hospital Blood Donors Celebrate 2008 Achievements
Volunteer blood donors at Tampa General Hospital (TGH) celebrated their blood drive accomplishments on Tuesday, January
13, 2009. TGH collected 1,060 units of blood, 112 more units than 2007, and potentially helped save 3,180 lives.
TGH employees and other volunteers have given a total of 4,656 units of blood since 2003. Mary Jane Badillo, Community
Relations Manager, for TGH coordinates all the hospital's blood drives and works hard to make it successful.
"The employees' and volunteers' pledge to saving lives is amazing." states Evelyn Rogers, Community Relations Representative
for FBS. "These individuals know why there is a need for blood, so it's great to see them come out and donate and possibly
help save one of the patients in their hospital."
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AEGON Employee Donors
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AEGON Celebrates Their Five Star Donors
AEGON recently celebrated the blood donors who had donated five or more times in 2008. The Five Star Donors program was created
by AEGON as a recognition event to encourage more employees to donate their lifesaving blood. AEGON had 33 employees that donated
five or more times in 2008. AEGON employees donated 352 units of blood, which potentially could save 1,056 lives in our community.
Florida Blood Services would like to thank all the AEGON blood donors and especially Cathy Waller, AEGON Human Resources Coordinator,
blood drive chairperson and recognition event coordinator for all their lifesaving efforts to save local hospital patients.
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January 2009
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Ralph Walker and Julie Herman, Director of Marketing for FBS
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Florida Blood Services Recognizes Florida College for Dedication to Helping the Community
Florida Blood Services (FBS) had a celebration for Florida College faculty and students for their commitment to
helping patients in the Tampa Bay area. Florida College blood drives have collected 475 lifesaving units in 2008
and have potentially helped save 1,425 lives.
The blood drive could not be successful without the help of Mr. Ralph Walker, Public Relations Director of faith-based
Florida College. During morning chapel, on the day of the blood drive, Mr. Walker stands in front of 500 students and
asks them to give the gift of life. He knows the importance of donating blood, he is a five-gallon donor.
We highlighted Mr. Walker during chapel, and FBS also recognized Mr. Douglas Barlar, who has donated six-gallons of blood.
Certificates were given to everyone who had reached a gallon donation.
"Everyone at Florida College should be commended for their lifesaving efforts," states Lory Jones, Community Relations
Representative for Florida Blood Services. "Ralph, the faculty and all the students at Florida College have such a great
attitude to help people in the community."
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Cathy Guy and Sister Renetta Gratt
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Florida Blood Services Clearwater Donor Center Honors Three Loyal Donors With A Breakfast Recognition
Cathy Guy, Sister Renetta Gratt and Jim Clinton have been donating for many years. Together they have donated 210 gallons of
blood, platelets and plasma. Each of these donors has made the commitment to visit the donor room every two weeks to donate platelets.
Cathy is a Librarian for the Pinellas County School System and has donated 85 gallons. Sister Renetta is heavily involved with
the community but takes time to come in faithfully. She just reached her 75 gallon mark. Jim Clinton has donated 50 gallons and
does everything he can to save lives in our community.
"These donors are outstanding individuals," states Vallery Colon, Manager of the Clearwater Donor Center. "They give so much of
their time to help save lives."
Florida Blood Services staff would like to thank Cathy, Sister Renetta and Jim for their dedication to helping save lives in our community.
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