LUFKIN, TEXAS (February 20, 2018)… Due to its lifesaving efforts, CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial Lufkin was named Hospital of the Year by Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center on Thursday, February 15 at the annual A Celebration of Life ceremony.
A Celebration of Life is an annual appreciation luncheon which recognizes and celebrates all gold level Commit for Life groups —including CHI St. Luke’s Health – for the countless lives that have been saved through their blood drives. CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial was chosen as Hospital of the Year out of the more than 170 hospitals across 26 counties served by Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center.
“At CHI St. Luke’s Health Memorial we care for people and our Blood Donor program is one of the many ways we live up to that mission,” said Tina Alexander-Sellers, Blood Donor program Champion and Market Director of Community Outreach at CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial. “Blood cannot be manufactured, and you never know whose life you may touch simply by giving a gift that is easy and free.”
Three years ago, the hospital made a recommitment to the Blood Donor program by solidifying its alliance with the Blood Center of East Texas and reaching out to members of the local media to help reach donors in the community. The program reached and surpassed donor goals and dramatically increased awareness and communication about the program. In 2017, seven blood drives were hosted on the Lufkin campus, including a 2-day, record-setting blood drive in September to support victims of Hurricane Harvey.
As a result of the hospital’s efforts to date more than 15,000 lives have been saved.
“We knew in our hearts we had attained an award winning program, and it feels good to know others feel the same way,” Alexander-Sellers said. “We are so grateful for all of our partners in this program, and to those who time and time again roll up their sleeves and donate the gift of life.”
The hospital will host its first blood drive of 2018 on Wednesday, February 21 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Community Rooms A&B on the CHI St. Luke’s Health-Memorial Lufkin campus.
