August 10, 2001

From comforting patients and educatingfamilies to performing emergency procedures and saving lives, MGH employees demonstrate heroics of all kinds every day. On Aug. 1, a group of MGHers was recognized for a special kind of heroism at the MGH Blood Donor Center Employee Appreciation Luncheon in the Wellman Conference Room. The event honored MGH employees who have donated blood four or more times during the last fiscal year.

"The number of employee blood donors at the MGH has increased significantly in the past few years," said William Hynes, administrative director for MGH Pathology, who delivered the program's opening remarks. Approximately 1,000 MGHers gave blood in 1999. That number increased to 1,800 donors so far this year. "That increase has had a major impact on the hospital, but even more important, it benefits our patients," said Hynes.

This point was illustrated by the words of guest speaker Michael Finn, (on right, with William Hynes) a patient who received a bone marrow transplant at the MGH in 1994. Finn chronicled his ordeal with chemotherapy rounds as he prepared for the transplant, highlighting the significance of donated blood during the process. Healthy stem cells were harvested from his blood and then replaced in his bloodstream after the treatments.

"It was crucial for myself and for my doctors that my body could regenerate to handle the stress of the chemotherapy treatments," Finn explained. "The blood transfusions made all the difference. They gave my body what it needed, and gave me the confidence I needed for my recovery."

Finn also credited the efforts of the Blood Donor Center, MGH Transfusion Services and individual donors in giving him a second chance at life. "I was very happy to hear that the employees are being honored for their contributions today – both the employees who donate, and the employees who work at the Blood Donor Center," he said. "You give the gift of life and help patients restore their own strength. I appreciate the opportunity to say thank you."

Walter "Sunny" Dzik, MD, co-director of the MGH Blood Transfusion Service, emphasized that blood donation "is extremely important to the health and well-being of the MGH – to the hospital itself, to the laboratories and to patients. Every unit of blood is precious, and we go to great lengths to make sure that every component of blood is used," he said.

Five donors were honored with a special award for going "above and beyond" in their commitment to the blood donation program. The following recipients each were given a commemorative Blood Donor Center letter opener: Sally Morton, RN, (above right, with Walter Dzik, MD) of MGH Nursing, donated 11 times; Jennie Bering, of MGH Clinical Pathology, donated 11 times; and Rose McNeil, of MGH Radiology, donated eight times. Blood donor honorees Fay Howell and Peter Tierney could not attend the luncheon. Blood Donor Center volunteer Yvonne Dello Russo (above left, with Kate Grealy of the Blood Donor Center) also was recognized for her many years of service at the center.

The MGH Blood Donor Center is located in the Gray Lobby. For more information or to make an appointment to donate, call (617) 726-8177.