Special Recognition

SCBB hosts The 3rd Annual Boots and Badges blood drive competition July 1-August 5. It’s Fire Rescue vs. Law Enforcement as each team competes to raise the most blood donations.

Report to your nearest blood drive!

Assistant Fire Chief Paul Dezzi has been donating blood since high school. Chief Dezzi is a strong supporter of Suncoast Communities Blood Bank, and he is a valued drive chairperson, who has participated in the Boots and Badges campaign since its beginning, 3 years ago.

During an interview with Chief Dezzi, he spoke about his personal thoughts on this years Boots and Badges Campaign, “basically, this boots and Badges Campaign is good for everyone. We want everyone to donate. We may joke about winners and losers, but we just want everyone to get out there and participate…that way everybody wins…”

When asked if he had any advice for other people who want to hold blood drives, Chief Dezzi responded, “I would say that the blood bank made it very easy and did most of the work…with my input. The blood bank provided posters and advertising. I feel my part was simple, to make phone calls recruiting donors and getting the word out to my contacts in the fire department….”

Law enforcement took the trophy home the first year, with the fire department carrying it off the second year, and Chief Dezzi is confident that the fire department will be taking the trophy this year too. Let the fun good-hearted competition begin!

Drive into summer” gas card giveaway

Congratulations to blood donors, Connie Clubb of Sarasota and Robert Allen Jr., of Arcadia. They are the May winners of our “Drive into summer” gas card giveaway. Both received gas cards worth $250 each.

Connie Clubb of Sarasota	Robert Allen Jr., of Arcadia

10-Gallon Donor honored

Service has always been important to, 10-gallon donor, Michael Keller.  Mr. Keller first donated blood in Moorhead, Kentucky, around 1979, when a close friend’s wife had blood poisoning.  About 25 years later, he came to the Sarasota area and has been donating for Suncoast Communities Blood bank since then.

Mr. Keller is a retired Army Major with 40 years of service in the Armored Division and the Reserves. He also belongs to NAUS (National Association for Uniformed Services). Mr. Keller enjoys photography and woodworking in his spare time.

When asked if he has anything that he would like to tell new donors, Keller said, “I would like older folks who are afraid of donating, or just think they can’t because of their age, to please, give it a try.” Mr. Keller went on to say, “My heart will always be with the people who need blood."

We thank Mr. Keller for making blood donation an important part of a lifetime of service-oriented actions. Without dedicated individuals like Michael Keller, we would not have life-giving blood on hand when needed.

Riverview High School Nurse steps up to recruit student donors.

School nurse, Laura Croak, is a crucial part of the success of Riverview High School blood drives. After becoming a donor herself last year, she helped our recruitment team by putting up posters, getting students involved with recruiting each other, and setting up a very visible table outside the cafeteria where she personally recruited students.

Originally from the Chicago area, Laura moved to Sarasota in 1983. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from Southern Illinois University and a nursing degree from MCC in Bradenton. Before becoming school nurse at Riverview three years ago, she worked as a substitute in the school system.

Laura enjoys working with students at school and she goes above and beyond her nursing duties by making sure her students get proper nutrition.  She is always willing to lend an ear to any student who is having personal issues at home or school. She says being the school nurse at Riverview would be the perfect job for her if she didn’t have to be up so early in the morning!

Dorothy Lagerstrom is an exceptional donor.

Every year Sarasota Memorial Hospital honors one of their own who goes above and beyond in their commitment to helping others. Dorothy is one such person. In March, she was honored as the hospital’s Star Blood Donor during its 10th Annual Awards of Excellence program.
 
“This award is completely unexpected. I feel better, physically and emotionally, after I donate”, said Dorothy. “ I give for those who can’t.”
 
Dorothy, a 22 gallon donor and former employee of SCBB, was recognized for her donation efforts throughout 2007 and 2008. Dorothy started donating in 1968 when she worked with Milton Bradley Company in Massachusetts and continued to donate after moving here in 1986.   Congratulations and thank you Dorothy.