| Special
Recognition
 Eagle Leadership Project Blood Drive
High school senior Matt Eastmore has been in scouting for 7 years. Matt comes from a long line of proud Eagle Scouts; his Grandfather, Father, Uncles, and older brother are all Eagle Scouts.
Matt hosted two-blood drives, in April, as part of his Eagle Scout Leadership Project. The drives brought in 82 donors! Thirty of these donors were new to the donation experience.
When asked why he chose a blood drive for his Eagle Leadership Project Matt responded, “I just wanted to do something out of the box. By doing blood drives, it helps the entire community. Most projects only help one select group.” Matt turns 18 on May 30th, which is also his last day as a high school senior. Happy Birthday Matt! Next year Matt is hoping to be a freshman at The University of Florida.
Young People like Matt Eastmore are the future of blood donation. For all Matt’s hard work and dedication, SCBB and the community say Thank you. We are glad that Matt chose a blood drive at Suncoast Communities Blood Bank for his Leadership Project.
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.
 Arcadia Donor Honored
Suncoast Communities Blood Bank and the DeSoto County School Board honored Elven Hudson with a plaque for his dedication to saving lives through blood
donations. Mr. Hudson is an 11 gallon donor who has positively impacted nearly 300 individuals.
A plaque was presented by SCBB Account Executive Cathy Wade and DeSoto County School Superintendent Adrian H. Cline on April 23rd during a ceremony at the county school board. Mr. Hudson and Mr. Cline have both worked together to coordinate blood drives in the DeSoto County area.
Mr. Hudson, a DeSoto County school teacher for home bound students and Arcadia resident, started donating in 1969 in Fort Pierce. His personal connection to donating blood came about in the 1974 when a friend needed a liver transplant that required many units of blood. Mr. Hudson wishes more people would donate blood and states that “it’s a way to help those in need, it’s simple, doesn’t cost anything and it means so much to people who receive it.”
Congratulations to Mr. Hudson for his ongoing commitment to the needs of others.
Results for the RV and mobile home park challenge
A group of dedicated and competitive folks representing eleven RV and mobile home parks in Arcadia took on a challenge in February to raise blood donations for the hospital. Their efforts were part of the 9th annual RV and mobile home park challenge to support Suncoast Communities Blood Bank. The RV Challenge raised more than 360 units of blood—resulting in an 11% increase from 2007. The prize was a large traveling trophy.
The winners were announced at a breakfast award program at DeSoto Memorial Hospital on March 20th. DeSoto Memorial hospital administrator, Vince Sica; hospital laboratory director Katheryn Ferry and Dr. Mark Magenheim, CEO and Medical Director of Suncoast Communities Blood Bank personally awarded the blood drive sponsors with plaques and words of thanks and encouragement.
The top three winners are:
Riverside RV Park taking first place, raising 92 units of blood
Lettuce Lake in second place with 44 units of blood
Little Willie’s placing third place with 39 units
Eight other parks contributed to the competition and include: Arcadia Village; Big Tree; Craig’s; Cross Creek; DeSoto Village; Oak Haven; Peace River and Toby’s.
Congratulations to the winners and many thanks to all the parks that participated
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