Blood is essential for life. It is a fundamental medical component for which there is no substitute. That is why blood donation campaigns are so important.
Estes Park Health partners with the UCHealth Garth Englund Blood Center once a quarter to host a blood drive at the hospital. Professionals from Fort Collins bring all the equipment they need to successfully conduct these vital blood drives. Dozens of Estes Valley residents come to help their neighbors in need.
Jeff Lindberg, 71, of Estes Park has been donating blood for decades.
“It’s just a good habit,” he said. “I think it’s something a lot of people should do on a regular basis, especially if they can come to Estes and have a session here. If you have good blood vessels, it’s easy. It doesn’t take too long and it doesn’t really bother me afterward.”
Bob Hakenewerth donated blood during the August 2024 blood drive at EPH. (Photo by Wendy Rigby/Estes Park Health)
Blood donated at Estes Park Health benefits several facilities in Northern Colorado, including EPH. (Wendy Rigby/Estes Park Health – Photo courtesy)
Others who show up are following in the footsteps of a family member.
“I remember my dad donating blood almost his whole life,” noted Bob Hakenewerth. “He made it to the 40-gallon club. It’s very easy. So it’s a good thing.”
Joseph Dunn is the blood donor recruiter for UCHealth.
“We like to help the community,” Dunn said. “We donate blood to Estes Park Health. So this is a way of giving back by collecting blood for the community because we’re providing it to you. The response has been positive, especially since we moved into the hospital. We’ve doubled the amount we normally collect. It’s good for your health. You burn 650 calories just lying in bed here. It’s almost like an oil change for your body.”
Blood donated at Estes Park Health supports several facilities in Northern Colorado, including EPH.
This valuable resource is used for trauma victims, cancer patients, and people undergoing surgery, among others.
Through donations, Lorraine Darling lives out one of her mottos: Be kind.
“People need blood,” she noted. “If I can help, that’s easy.”
Donors are screened and rewarded with a snack and some freebies from EPH and the blood donation center. People like Don Marshall are happy to participate. It’s a community service that doesn’t take long.
“I read it in the newspaper,” Marshall said. “I live here in the city, so it was easy to come here, give the blood and go home. It’s very simple. It doesn’t take long. You can feel good afterward.”
More than 80% of UCHealth blood products are the direct result of community blood drives. Estes Park Health is proud to support this important partnership.
The next blood donation campaign at the EPH is planned for Wednesday, December 4, 2024.
To watch a video about EPH Hospital’s blood donation drives for the community, go to https://youtu.be/TQatqN-Ps7I.
