Blood Donor Goes the “Extra-Gallon” to Save Lives
University Hospital Blood Donor Program Celebrates 60 Years!
BACKGROUND: Ernest DeWinne has been donating blood and platelets at University Hospital since 1972. Over the past 40 years, he’s donated 177 units, equal to 29 gallons of blood/platelets and more than any other donor in the program’s 60 year history.
Tomorrow he will donate his 178th unit of blood, as University Health System celebrates the 60th anniversary of its Blood Donor Services program. The blood donor room first opened its doors in June of 1954. Blood donors like DeWinne are helping to save lives with every pint of blood donated.
University Hospital is the premiere Level I trauma center for South Texas and the highest level pediatric trauma center in the region. The trauma team is always in need of blood products to care for critically injured adults and children.
The University Hospital Blood Bank relies on employees, family members, visitors and the community for blood donations. While blood donors are needed throughout the year, they are most needed during the holidays and in the summer. It’s during these times that the number of blood donations declines while the demand continues to increase.
WHAT: Longest blood donor in University Health System’s blood donor program history, during the 60th Anniversary celebration of the Blood Donor Services program at University Hospital.
WHO: Ernest DeWinne, blood donor; University Hospital’s blood donor services team
WHEN: Friday, June 27, at 10:30 a.m.
WHERE: University Hospital – Blood Donor Room
