HCR Blood Drive

posted on January 22, 2010

By Peggy Heerkens – Human Resources Associate

Last summer as I was heading out to lunch with my co-workers, we spotted a Red Cross truck near the parking lot, and I said nonchalantly, “You know, we should hold a blood drive at HCR!”  One week later I received a call from the Red Cross, asking if our company would be interested in sponsoring a blood drive right here at work.  I suspected that our company managers would support the idea, but would the employees take the time? We held our first blood drive on September 11, 2009, surely a significant date in history.  Not surprising, we were filled to capacity with employees willing to roll up their sleeves for the one cause no money can buy.  Not only our own employees, but our neighboring companies across the street and down the road stopped in to give the Gift of Life.  15 first-time donors mustered the courage to participate… not an insignificant number.

We recently held our second drive on Martin Luther King Day, January 28, 2010.  And once again, we filled the “beds” (conference tables), and added 8 more first-time donors to the group.  As Dustin Hilton, our American Red Cross rep, said, “75 lives were saved that day”.  They all are Heroes.  We’re grateful to our leadership in allowing us to open our doors to this opportunity, and to the dozens of employees who take the time to give, and give again.  Truly, HCR cares.