As a tribute to their heroism, perseverance and passion for saving lives through the COVID-19 crisis, Versiti Blood Center of Indiana will stage a Healthcare Heroes Blood Drive June 25.
With support from the Indiana 4-H Foundation, this special tribute drive runs from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at the 4-H Exhibit Hall and Auditorium at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Versiti will join its loyal and generous blood donors to honor physicians, nurses, frontline workers and all medical professionals who continue to work tirelessly through the coronavirus pandemic.
Donors are asked to bring a personal message of thanks to share with our healthcare heroes – a card or a handwritten message of gratitude as a token of appreciation for all our healthcare heroes have done through these trying times.
“The physicians, nurses and every medical professional who worked tirelessly and sacrificed through this pandemic, saving countless lives, deserve a show of gratitude that we can only begin to express on our own,” said Versiti President and CEO Chris Miskel. “We’re asking the community to join us in paying tribute through the gesture of blood donation. I personally extend my deepest thanks to Versiti’s hospital partners – Community Health, Eskanazi Health, IU Health, Franciscan Health, Ascension St. Vincent – these are extraordinary individuals. Let’s thank them together on June 25.”
Versiti hopes to welcome more than 100 blood donors at the drive.
To ensure everyone’s safety during continuing coronavirus concerns, Versiti employees wear face masks or cloth face coverings and are temperature tested before their shifts. Donors are also temperature tested and prescreened before their donation. All donors are asked to wear their own face covering during their appointment.
Social distancing is being practiced at all Versiti blood drives throughout Indiana. Versiti is efficiently cleaning and disinfecting all facilities and equipment at all drives.
Donating blood takes about an hour. Anyone age 17 or older in good health who meets eligibility requirements is encouraged to give. Parental consent is required for donors age 16 to donate blood. Donors should bring a photo ID that includes their birth date.
Appointments are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome. To schedule an appointment, call 317-916-5150 or visit Versiti online at http://www.versiti.org/Indiana.
More than 90,000 Indiana residents each year give blood through Versiti Blood Center of Indiana, formerly Indiana Blood Center, a non-profit organization founded in 1952 that operates blood donation centers in Indianapolis, Fishers, Carmel, Greenwood, Lafayette, Terre Haute and Highland. The center also operates thousands of mobile and community blood drives each year throughout the state. Versiti provides a continuous and safe supply of blood and biological services to more than 80 Indiana hospitals and their patients and beyond.
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ABOUT VERSITI BLOOD CENTER OF INDIANA
Founded in 1952, Versiti Blood Center of Indiana, formerly Indiana Blood Center, is a non-profit organization and vital community resource dedicated to providing a continuous, safe and adequate supply of blood components and biological services to more than 80 Indiana hospitals and their patients and beyond. More than 90,000 Hoosiers donate life-saving blood each year. For more, visit versiti.org/Indiana.