Blood Donor Challenge at the TGMC Blood Donor Center
Date released: 7/21/2008
South Louisiana Bank challenges all corporate organizations and members of the community to give the gift of life by donating blood at the Terrebonne General Medical Center (TGMC) Blood Donor Center.
Ten South Louisiana Bank employees regularly donate blood and treat it as a team building exercise and social outing, starting off early in the morning. Every eight weeks, the bank employees arrive at the TGMC Blood Donor Center at 7:30 a.m. to donate blood and then leave as a group to eat breakfast at McDonald’s.
“It is a win-win. Donating is a social event for all of us and a life-serving gift for someone in need. I am thankful I can give rather than receive blood. Plus, the people at the TGMC blood bank are GREAT!” said Chuck Weaver, President of South Louisiana Bank.
Together the group has donated a whooping 387 pints! Being regular donors, George Robichaux and Chuck Weaver felt it would be a good idea to encourage their fellow co-workers to participate in the cause and since February 2007, the group has grown to ten faithful donors.
“The gift of blood is a life-saving event that also makes the donor feel good about themselves. We enjoy getting together as a group for this worthwhile purpose and for the team spirit it brings,” said George Robichaux, Vice President and Commercial Loan Manager, South Louisiana Bank.
The faithful group includes: George Robichaux – 127 pints, Chuck Weaver – 81 pints, Ann Storms – 75 pints, Robert Ross – 35 pints, Cal McKey – 33 pints, Jimmy Klingman – 11 pints, Jay Walker – 10 pints, Dawn Pierron – 6 pints, Alfredia Frank – 5 pints and Dawn Pontiff – 4 pints.
The TGMC Blood Donor Center always welcomes the group every eight weeks and loves the camaraderie they invoke. The group has become friends with the blood bank staff, which is easy to do as they are a very warm and welcoming department.
The Blood Donor Center and South Louisiana Bank encourages other organizations to jump on the band wagon and challenge their staff to a call to action to save lives. TGMC’s Blood Donor Center offers a corporate blood assurance plan in which the organization is covered in its entirety if 25 percent of its employees donate blood a minimum of once per year. The Blood Assurance plan covers the cost of blood and blood products issued to patients of Terrebonne General Medical Center.
Please consider donating blood; someone needs blood every two seconds and by donating a pint you could save up to three lives. Blood donation is simple and the entire process usually takes less than 30 minutes. Blood donated at Terrebonne General Medical Center remains at Terrebonne General for its patients. Therefore, donating blood at TGMC directly serves our community.
The TGMC Blood Donor Center takes donors through a four-step process to donate: medical history, quick physical, donation and a refreshment. As a thank you for giving, donors can choose from a t-shirt, CD holder or free cholesterol check.
If you are interested in donating blood, and are at least 17 years old and 110 lbs, please call the TGMC Blood Donor Center at 985-873-4025 or 985-873-4026 or come by the Center located in TGMC’s Annex Building on Belanger St. (across from the parking garage).
Make blood donation a regular part of your life this year.
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 7:30 am until 3:30 pm and on Tuesday until 5:30 pm. To donate and avoid waiting please call 873-4025 or 873-4029 to schedule an appointment.