FERGUS FALLS, MN — The American Red Cross has a long-standing partnership with Lake Region Healthcare to provide blood services and transport medical supply items throughout Otter Tail County. Transportation of those items will now be much easier thanks to a brand new van purchased with assistance from the Lake Region Healthcare Foundation.
Last year, Red Cross volunteers logged more than 77,000 miles, transporting nearly 30,000 medical and supply items to 15 different centers/clinics in Otter Tail County. An average of 250 miles are logged on each of the vans that deliver throughout the County each weekday. In addition, over 1,900 units of blood were collected in Otter Tail County this past year.
“Lake Region Healthcare’s Foundation is proud to support this partnership between Lake Region Healthcare and the American Red Cross. It clearly meets our mission to develop partnerships and resources for improving health and wellness in our region,” said Larry Schulz, Lake Region Healthcare CEO. “The volunteer drivers are key players in strengthening and sustaining transportation of life-saving blood and medical items in Otter Tail County and providing them safe, reliable transportation for those 200-plus miles they drive each day is very important,” he added.
“Without the support of the Lake Region Healthcare and volunteers, our mission would not be possible,” said Red Cross Regional CEO, Judy Green. “We can’t them enough for their commitment to those in need of blood and medical items throughout the county.”
PHOTO ATTACHED – L to R (Katie Johnson, Lake Region Healthcare Foundation; Beth Rudh, Volunteer Driver; Laura Gervais, Lake Region Healthcare Volunteer Coordinator; Don Eklund, Volunteer Driver.)
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCrossDakotas.
About Lake Region Healthcare
Lake Region Healthcare is living out its vision to be Minnesota's preeminent regional healthcare partner. With over 80 Medical Staff and over 900 employees, its team is dedicated to serving its patients and community with integrity, teamwork, compassion and excellence. For more information about Lake Region Healthcare, visit www.lrhc.org.
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