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Fenwal Names 2009 Inductees to the Blood Donation Hall of Fame
LAKE ZURICH, Ill., January 7, 2010 – While the holidays are largely over, the spirit of
giving continues thanks to a very special group of people – regular blood donors. Fenwal, Inc.,
a global medical technology company focused on improving blood collection, separation, safety
and availability, announced today the names of 12 inspiring individuals inducted into the
company’s 2009 Donation Hall of Fame.
For more than a decade, Fenwal has partnered with blood centers to recognize people
who go above and beyond in assuring medicine’s most vital natural resource -- blood -- is
available for trauma victims, people undergoing critical surgeries and patients receiving therapiesfor cancer, leukemia and other medical conditions. Inductees are chosen based on their commitment to blood donation, whether by directly giving blood or by organizing drives and
special events that recruit blood donors. Each inductee’s story is a testament to the selfless spirit of those who give blood.
Nearly 40,000 units of blood are needed every day throughout the United States. Since
there is no substitute for human blood, hospitals and patients rely on volunteer blood donors for
blood transfusions. During January, National Blood Donor Month raises awareness of the need
for volunteer blood donors, like those celebrated through Fenwal’s Donation Hall of Fame, and
the critical role they serve in patient care.
“Because of blood donors, millions of lives are saved each year,” said Ron Labrum,
president and chief executive officer of Fenwal. “Our hope is that these individual’s selfless acts
of kindness serve as an inspiration and reminder to all of us of the tremendous gift of a blood
donation. It is our honor to recognize and celebrate these amazing individuals through the
Donation Hall of Fame, and to encourage others to follow in their footsteps.”
The 2009 inductees are:
- Robert Brocato, nominated by American Red Cross, Portland, Maine.
- Ed Harry, nominated by American Red Cross, Northeastern Pennsylvania Region
- Gene Hink, nominated by Florida Blood Services, Tampa, Fla.
- Hugh Hondorp, nominated by his daughter, Stephanie Hondorp, East Windsor, N.J.
- John Kopitz, nominated by New Jersey Blood Services, A Division of New York Blood
Center, Montclair N.J.
- John and Mary Murphy, nominated by American Red Cross, Omaha, Neb.
- Joyce O’Hern, nominated by LifeShare Blood Centers, Shreveport, La.
- Richard Packman, nominated by LifeSource Chicagoland’s Blood Center, Chicago, Ill.
- Roy Perry, nominated by North Country Regional Blood Center, Plattsburgh, N.Y.
- Lana Rosiek, nominated by American Red Cross, Penn-Jersey Blood Services Region, Philadelphia, Pa.
- Donald C. Strieder, nominated by American Red Cross Heart of America Blood ServicesRegion, Peoria, Ill.
- Ernie Weckbaugh (“Stinky” from “The Little Rascals”), nominated by The Providence
Blood Donor Center, Burbank, Calif.
Actor who Played Stinky in 1930s “Our Gang” movies
After being hospitalized more than 30 years ago for a serious infection that required him
to receive blood transfusions, actor Ernie Weckbaugh became a dedicated blood donor, recentlycelebrating his 200th blood donation. Weckbaugh played Stinky in the original “Our Gang”, or“Little Rascals,” movies of the 1930s, which later became a television series.
"When I got out [of the hospital], I promised myself to pay it back,” said Weckbaugh.
“Well, I did, and 33 years later I'm still giving it back. I couldn't stop because it was so easy and
the right thing to do."
Ceremonies honoring inductees are taking place at blood centers across the country. The
inductees are also featured in Fenwal’s 2010 Product and Donor Eligibility Dating Calendar,
which is used by blood centers nationwide to help schedule blood donations.
About Blood Donation
Blood donors are the only source of blood for transfusion. When donating blood, people
give a pint of whole blood or donate a specific blood component via an automated system.
When donating whole blood, the donated unit is separated into its therapeutic components
providing one unit of red blood cells and a partial dose of platelets and plasma. When donating
on an automated system, a donor gives approximately the same amount of blood, but more of thecomponent that is in highest demand depending on their donor characteristics and blood type.
Approximately 14 million units of red blood cells, 10 million platelet units and 4 million
units of plasma are transfused annually in the United States. To make a blood donation or to
learn more about donating blood, please contact your local blood center. To learn more about
this year’s Donation Hall of Fame inductees or to submit a nomination, please visit
www.fenwalinc.com.
About Fenwal
Fenwal, Inc. became an independent company in 2007, but its roots go back to 1949 with
the founding of Fenwal Laboratories. Fenwal developed the first flexible, disposable container
for blood collection, eliminating complications associated with glass containers and allowing
blood to be separated into therapeutic components. Today, the company’s products and
advanced collection and separation technologies are used throughout the world to help ensure a safe and available supply of lifesaving blood and blood products. Fenwal Inc. is based in Lake
Zurich, Illinois. For more information, please visit www.fenwalinc.com.
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Media Contact:
Tanya Tyska
847.550.2732
Tanya.Tyska@fenwalinc.com
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