A message from our colleagues at Vitalant.
Platelets are tiny cells in our blood that help stop bleeding, but for many patients, they represent something much bigger: the ability to keep fighting.
Platelets are especially important for patients undergoing cancer treatment, as well as those with blood disorders, undergoing open-heart surgery or receiving organ transplants. About 50% of platelet donations help cancer patients, and someone in the U.S. needs platelets approximately every 15 seconds.
Because platelets are highly perishable and must be transfused within about a week, we cannot simply build a large reserve and rely on it when patients need us. We need committed platelet donors continually stepping forward to help maintain a stable supply.
This is where your leadership can make a tremendous difference.
I’m asking each of you to consider taking three actions:
- Donate. If you are eligible, schedule a platelet donation and personally experience the impact we are asking others to make.
- Share. Tell your family, friends, colleagues, neighbors and community connections why platelet donation matters and encourage them to join you.
- Amplify. Use your social media platforms and professional networks to share the need and invite others to schedule an appointment. (Here’s a link to their LinkedIn profile to get started.- Ed.)
Vitalant has donation centers throughout the Mid-South, including:
- East Memphis: 4702 Spotswood Avenue, Memphis, TN 38117
- Bartlett: 7505 Highway 64, Suite 109, Bartlett, TN 38133
- Germantown: 2095 Exeter, #75, Germantown, TN 38138
- DeSoto/Southaven: 1055 Goodman Road E., Suite J, Southaven, MS 38671
Ready to make a difference? Visit Vitalant.org and select Donate Now to find a convenient location and schedule your appointment.
Leadership is not only about lending our names or voices to a cause. Sometimes, it means rolling up our own sleeves, leading by example and inspiring others to follow.
After making your appointment, I encourage you to share your commitment with your circle of influence. A simple social media post, text, email or personal conversation could inspire the next platelet donor whose generosity helps a cancer patient continue treatment, supports someone through major surgery or provides hope to a family during a critical moment. Remember to tag us (Here’s the Facebook page for the Southern office and here is their Instagram.- Ed.) so that we can reshare your post on our page.
Together, your influence can become action. And that action can become hope for a patient who needs us.
Thank you for your leadership, your advocacy and your continued commitment to Vitalant’s lifesaving mission. When we lead by example, we have the power to inspire an entire community to give.
Keisha Walker, MPA, CNP
Community Affairs Manager
Vitalant South
Founded in 1943, Vitalant is one of the nation’s largest nonprofit blood and biotherapies healthcare organizations, providing hospitals and patients across the U.S. a safe blood supply, specialized laboratory services, transfusion medicine expertise and world-renowned research.
Today, Vitalant is an internationally known and respected leader that continues to push the boundaries to advance the experience, practice and application of transfusion medicine.
World-renowned Vitalant Research Institute is engaged in scientific studies ranging from blood donor epidemiology to cellular therapy to virus discovery. Vitalant is a partner in the operations of Creative Testing Solutions, the largest independent blood donor testing organization in the U.S. Several high volume laboratories spanning the country test 70 percent of the nation’s blood supply.
Vitalant brings together the rich legacies of regional blood centers throughout the nation. Together with communities across nearly 30 states, we are transforming lives coast-to-coast.
Now Vitalant, we have found that our histories are more alike than different and we are inspired to work together to create moments of awe.
Like Memphis Medical Society, Vitalant is focused on serving the people of Memphis and the Mid-South by improving health outcomes for all.
