Rockford Sun

SwedishAmerican Hospital issued the following announcement on March 18.

SwedishAmerican is pleased to announce a new partnership project with the Rock River Valley Blood Center (RRVBC) entitled “Thank the Donor.” “Thank the Donor” allows recipients of blood transfusions the opportunity to send anonymous messages to the person who donated the blood they received.

The new program launched Monday at the SwedishAmerican Regional Cancer Center and will be integrated into all areas involving blood transfusions in the health system next week. SwedishAmerican is the first hospital in Rockford to participate.

“The SwedishAmerican Regional Cancer Center is very excited to partner with the Rock River Valley Blood Center and their Thank the Donor program,” said Natalie Wilson, Director of the Regional Cancer Center. “The Thank the Donor program is an easy way for our patients and families to send a message to a donor to thank them, which is something they may have always wanted to do but couldn’t until now. This program also gives much needed recognition to donors who selflessly give for someone in need.”

All red cell and platelet products will be tagged with green heart reminders with information for patients on how to register. Patients or their loved ones are directed to ThankTheDonor.org to send their personal message. No names or hospital identification are shared.

“Rock River Valley Blood Center is excited to have SwedishAmerican Health System as its first hospital partner in our region to implement the “Thank the Donor” program,” said Linda Gerber, CEO at the Rock River Valley Blood Center. “In fact, RRVBC and SwedishAmerican are the first in the Midwest to provide a way for patients and their families to thank their specific blood donor. While RRVBC has always thanked donors on behalf of patients; this program allows a donor to “hear” directly the impact their gift had on the lives of others. Although the program is anonymous, it connects blood donors to patients, something that hasn’t been possible in modern healthcare.”

For more information, visit ThankTheDonor.org or call the RRVBC at 815-965-8751.

Original source can be found here.