More than 300 community heroes -- volunteer blood donors -- were honored at the Regional Medical Center's 34th annual Blood Assurance Program Awards Banquet on Tuesday, March 25, at The Cinema in Orangeburg.

Donors who reached milestone levels of blood donations during the past year were on hand to be recognized and receive gifts of appreciation. Gerald Bedenbaugh, a 14-gallon donor, was the top honoree present at the banquet.

"It was a big honor," Bedenbaugh said. "I've been working this thing for a long time. I'm not doing it for the honor, but I was honored to be able to do it for all these years and help people out."

Bedenbaugh has been donating blood for at least 30 years, he said.

"That's the way I have to help people in the community," he said. "I don't know who I help, but it is good to help somebody."

Bedenbaugh said the first few times he gave blood, he wasn't really interested. An emergency call late one night requesting his rare A negative blood is what really made him decide to give on a regular basis, he said.

"It doesn't really hurt, other than a couple of sticks, and it only takes a couple of minutes," he said.

Bedenbaugh encourages others in the community to donate blood and reminds them that one day, they might be the one who needs a blood donation themselves.

Other top donors over the past year were Kenneth Bunch at 16 gallons and David Nivens at 14 gallons. Dignitaries representing the RMC Board of Trustees, administration and physicians were also present at the banquet. The keynote speaker, retired South Carolina State University Head Football Coach Willie Jeffries, entertained the crowd and encouraged volunteers to continue supporting their communities through blood donations.

Affiliated with the American Association of Blood Banks, RMC's blood program is a private, community-based program that relies on donations from members of the community to support the blood needs of the medical center.

"Most hospitals have to rely on other agencies for blood. The Regional Medical Center has its own community blood bank, and we're very proud of that," said Gail Lott, RMC blood bank supervisor. "Our donors usually visit more than once or twice a year; instead, they regularly respond to the never-ending need for blood. Many of them return to donate on the very first day they are eligible to give again (every 56 days) without us ever having to call and ask!"

BAP Coordinator Shea Woodward added, "Blood donors are very special people; they care so much about others and give of themselves so others may live. They are truly heroes."

To be eligible to donate blood, a person must weigh at least 110 pounds. The minimum age requirement for blood donors is 17, with parental permission. There is no maximum age limit, as long as a person is healthy. The entire process takes about 30 minutes; about 10 minutes for screening, 10 for donating a pint, and about 10 to "rest" and have some juice before leaving.

Individual membership in the program requires one pint of blood per year to insure that the blood needs of a BAP member and his or her dependents are covered for that year. Coverage extends to other institutions in the United States through blood credits from AABB.

For information on becoming a blood donor, call RMC's Blood Bank at 803-395-2419. Located on RMC's first floor, the blood bank is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday (except holidays). After-hours appointments can be arranged.

You must be logged in to comment.