January 6, 2006

MGH blood donor inducted into Baxter Hall of Fame

Susan DePippo, a longtime donor at the MGH Blood Donor Center, recently was inducted into the Baxter Healthcare Corporation's Donation Hall of Fame, currently in its eighth year of recognizing individuals nationwide who have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to blood donation.

DePippo (left) was selected from more than 80 nominated donors and, along with the 12 other winners, will be featured in the company's news magazine Continuous Flow and the 2006 Baxter calendar provided to blood donation centers throughout the United States. A ceremony honoring her remarkable contributions to blood donation was held Dec. 16 at the MGH Blood Donor Center.

Although DePippo has donated blood ever since she first met the minimum age requirements, her commitment to blood donation found renewed purpose when her young granddaughter was diagnosed with leukemia. She organized a group of dedicated blood donors at her workplace — the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind — and regularly donated herself during the eight-month course of her granddaughter's illness. Tragically, her granddaughter did not survive her battle with the disease, but despite her loss, DePippo has tirelessly continued to advocate for blood donation.

"Susan is one of our most dedicated donors and blood drive coordinators," says Kathryn DeCoste, of the MGH Blood Donor Center, who nominated DePippo for the award. "If there were more people like Susan in the world, we would never have blood shortages."