Why We Give
Why We Give
Purpose-driven individuals and organizations share why they’re supporting the Red Cross
Purpose-driven individuals and organizations share why they’re supporting the Red Cross
Purpose-driven individuals and organizations share why they’re supporting the Red Cross
Purpose-driven individuals and organizations share why they’re supporting the Red Cross
Every day, people face emergencies. From recovering from a natural disaster to needing critical first aid and CPR - facing the challenges of military life or depending on lifesaving blood products. In each situation, the Red Cross is there for our communities.
The Red Cross can’t do it alone, our mission is only possible through the power of volunteers, generosity of donors and strength of our community partnerships.
One of those organizations is HealthPartners. They play a critical role in helping the Red Cross achieve our blood collection goals by hosting numerous Red Cross blood drives each year. This year alone, HealthPartners and Regions Hospitals hosted nearly 50 blood drives and collected almost 1,200 units of blood.
HealthPartners is also a significant financial supporter of the Red Cross’ Sickle Cell Initiative. Sickle cell disease is the most common genetic blood disorder in the U.S., and regular blood transfusions are critical to manage extreme pain and life-threatening complications. One in 3 African American blood donors are a match for people with sickle cell disease.
Together, with other community partners, we are working to inspire and engage Black blood donors through advocacy, education and awareness about sickle cell disease and the blood donation process to help ensure sickle cell patients have the blood products they need.
The Red Cross is honored to have two senior leaders at HealthPartners serve as board members and passionate mission ambassadors, Dr. David Hamlar and Mr. Vince Rivard. Our teams sat down with Dr. Hamlar and Mr. Rivard to ask them about this unique partnership, the importance of giving blood and why they love the Red Cross:
"When I attended medical school, I began working more closely with the Red Cross when they came into hospitals. As you start having patients that need transfusions, blood typing and matching are critical, especially when we encounter Sickle Cell patients who need blood products regularly. Having blood available from the Red Cross was a luxury.” says Dr. Hamlar.
Mr. Rivard responds, “It’s humbling and inspiring to work for HealthPartners, an organization that makes a difference. The Red Cross is the same – passionate people working to help those in need, and often at the most challenging times in their lives.”
"I started donating blood in high school," adds Vince. "At the time, I was motivated by curiosity and getting out of class, but I've become a Power Red donor since then. The process is a little longer than a regular whole blood donation, and you can only donate about every four months, but it does save time in the long run and makes your donation go further."
Dr. Hamlar adds, “When I first started donating, I didn’t know where the blood was going. As a teenager, I thought it would stay local. I had no idea it would traverse the country. And you didn’t know about the need. As a novice I didn’t think about all the different people who need it. I also don’t think it was until I was in medical school that I saw the expanse of blood products.”
“I’m retired military,” adds Dr. Hamler. When I look at an organization and what they stand for, it’s got to be meaningful. To me, to my family, to hundreds of millions of people around the world. It was there for the military when I needed to send folks home to be with their families. The Red Cross has become synonymous with American know-how and generosity.
When discussing the critical need for blood donations, Dr. Hamlar states, "We as the Twin Cities Red Cross can work with HealthPartners and other organizations to find the best ways to secure blood, said Dr. Hamler. "HealthPartners and Red Cross Blood Services can make that happen together. When the need is there, we want to care for them."
"Blood donors are needed" exclaims Vince. "If you're not able to donate, there are other ways to get involved. One volunteer position that is needed right now is the Donor Ambassador role, which is critical at donation events to help welcome and support donors before and after their donation. You can learn more about the position and other volunteer opportunities here."
From blood drives to board members, financial donations to fighting disease, HealthPartners is an incredible partner in helping the Red Cross alleviate human suffering.