IKEA
Distribution Center #532 in Spanaway had originally scheduled its
annual blood drive for October. However, when an employee was seriously
injured in an accident that required hospitalization and two blood
transfusions, the management thought moving the drive up to Sept.
28, 2011, would raise awareness that anyone can need blood, and anyone
can help out the community.
IKEA
DC had a goal of registering 25 donors, but exceeded that goal by
registering 33. Employees even came in on their day off to donate, said
Nikki Alvarez, stock control coordinator and member of IKEA DC’s Social
and Environmental Committee. “We have great people who pull together,”
said Alvarez. “It was really good team work.”
Some
of those who came in on their day off also brought family members to
donate, according to Patricia Hernandez, CRBS donor resources
consultant. “Everybody was so generous,” Hernandez said. They had seen
the need for blood first-hand with their coworker’s injury, and everyone
knew exactly why they were donating, Hernandez said.
It’s
generosity and dedication like that of the employees at IKEA
Distribution Center #532 that keeps our community blood supply constant
and saves lives every day. Cascade Regional Blood Services could not
carry out its mission without its wonderful and committed donors.
CRBS NEWS: Schedule Your Next Appointment Online
Did
you know that you can request an appointment to donate on our website?
We know you’re busy. We appreciate that you take the time to donate. And
we want your experience to be as convenient and enjoyable as possible.
So click here,
fill out the brief form to tell us when you’d like to donate, and one
of our friendly donor schedulers will contact you to confirm your
appointment. It’s that easy!
Cascade
Regional Blood Services depends on high school and college blood drives
for about 20 percent of our community’s blood supply, which means that
maintaining a consistent supply during the summer months can be a
challenge. To meet this challenge and encourage donors to continue
donating throughout the summer, CRBS offers our iDonate promotion.
Every
Monday and Tuesday between June 27 and August 30, registered donors at
any of CRBS’ Donor Centers were automatically entered to win an iPod
touch. More than 1,300 donors participated, and 10 lucky winners walked
away with new iPods. Click here to read about the winners.
The
iDonate promotion, which is sponsored by community supporters, began in
2006 and has proven successful over the past six summers. This summer
was no exception. Generous donors helped CRBS maintain an adequate
inventory of blood products for the community during this period, while
much of the country experienced critically low levels. CRBS would like
to thank each and every donor who participated in the promotion and
congratulate the winners. Check back next summer for another chance to
win while you help provide much-needed blood for the community! Blood
donors really do save lives.
COMMUNITY: Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber 2011 SpotLight! on Business Award Cascade Regional Blood Services was honored with a nomination for the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber
2011 SpotLight! on Business Award in the Non-Profit Organization
category on Sept. 23. The award recognizes chamber-member businesses
that have been in operation for two years or more and have set the
standard for exemplary business practices through accomplishments and
civic contributions they make to the community. Volunteer judges select
winners based upon five criteria: staying power, growth in employees,
evidence of contributions to community-oriented projects, innovativeness
of product or service and response to adversity.
CRBS
was nominated with America’s Credit Union, Architects Rasmussen
Triebelhorn, Celebrity Cake Studios, CenterForce, DaVita, Inc., Home
Makeovers Made Simple, Joseppi’s Italian Ristorante, MultiCare Health
System, Safe Streets Campaign, SiteCrafting, Sprague Avenue Carwash and
Tacoma Screw Products. “It’s an honor to be nominated for the SpotLight!
on Business Award,” said Christine Swinehart, CRBS president and CEO.
“Cascade Regional Blood Services is committed to providing the highest
level of quality and service in all that we do. We sincerely appreciate
being recognized for our work.”
CRBS
values its participation in chamber activities helping to build
community awareness, relationships and support for Cascade’s mission of
providing a safe, cost-effective supply of blood and blood products to
the Pierce and South King County community.
In May 2011, Cascade Regional Blood Services was granted American Association of Blood Banks (AABB)
re-accreditation. CRBS became a member of AABB on April 1, 1948. AABB
then began the accreditation process, and CRBS became initially
accredited in 1958, receiving re-accreditation every two years.
Accreditation follows an intensive on-site assessment by specially
trained AABB assessors and establishes that the level of technical and
administrative performance within the facility meets or exceeds the
standards set by AABB. The program assesses the quality and operational
systems in place within a facility.
CRBS
is a member of AABB because of our desire for and commitment to
continuous improvement, education and quality. CRBS follows very strict
standards outlined by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) and AABB,
and this ensures we are following all the guidelines for the best
quality and safety in collecting, processing, testing, distributing and
administering blood and cellular therapy products. The accreditation
aligns with our mission to provide a constant, safe,
cost-effective supply of blood, blood components and other related
services to the communities we serve.
Founded
in 1947, AABB is an international, not-for-profit association dedicated
to the advancement of science and the practice of transfusion medicine
and related biological therapies. The association is committed to
improving health by developing and delivering standards, accreditation
and educational programs and services to optimize patient and donor care
and safety.
Cascade
Regional Blood Services has served South King and Pierce Counties for
over 65 years. CRBS is the sole provider of blood and blood products to
MultiCare Health System and Franciscan Health System hospitals and
clinics.
