A gift of life

 

Inova Blood donor services processing donors

On Thursday December 11, Goochlanders rolled up their sleeves to give the gift of life to Inova Blood donor services.

Earlier this year, Goochland Fire-Rescue made a monumental advancement in local emergency medical care. Partnering with Chesterfield Fire &EMS; Virginia State Police MedFlight 1; and Inova Blood Services, Goochland EMS now has two pints of O positive blood available for pre-hospital emergency care. This is a life saving measure for trauma victims in danger of bleeding out before reaching a hospital. Once again Goochland Fire-Rescue is one of the few regional EMS agencies that have implemented an innovative lifesaving protocol.

Blood donors completing paperwork

(See GOMM “Fire-Rescue advances emergency care” for details.)

D. E. “Eddie” Ferguson, Jr. Goochland’s Chief of Fire-Rescue and Emergency Services expressed his appreciation to all who participated in this first drive for Inova Blood Donor Services. He thanked County Administrator Dr. Jeremy Raley for donating and allowing county staff to do so as well.

Joshua Maitz, Inova Blood Account Manager said of the event “This was a strong turnout that helped establish a growing engaged donor base in this territory that we can continue building upon.”

The drive’s collection goal was 50 pints, of which 42 were collected.

Ferguson looks forward to continued community support for Inova blood drives.