Aurora Health Care sets 2018 blood donation goal, issues ‘Every Drop Counts Challenge’ to organizations

 “We know that blood donations always dip in the first part of the year but last year, Aurora caregivers responded to the call,” said Vivian King, Aurora vice president of community relations. “We decided to issue this ‘challenge’ to Harley-Davidson, MillerCoors and other organizations to help keep the blood donations flowing, particularly through critical times of shortage.”

Blood drives will be happening through the Aurora Health Care systems during the week of January 15 as part of Aurora’s Weeks of Caring program, a series of regularly scheduled volunteer opportunities for caregivers. Additional blood drives will be held throughout the year. A Weeks of Caring Every Drop Counts Challenge kickoff event will be held Monday at Aurora Sinai Medical Center.

MillerCoors and Harley-Davidson Motor Co. have accepted the Every Drop Counts Challenge issued by Aurora. The challenge for MillerCoors, Harley-Davidson and other organizations that want to participate is to hold blood drives with the BloodCenter of Wisconsin between January 12 and July 12, 2018. The organization with the highest percentage of participation based on organization size will be the winner of the challenge, and will receive a traveling trophy and employee blood donation bragging rights.

Other organizations are encouraged to join the Every Drop Counts Challenge by contacting the BloodCenter of Wisconsin.

BloodCenter of Wisconsin is the exclusive blood products supplier to Aurora hospitals in southeastern Wisconsin. Blood donors can make an appointment to take part in these community challenge drives online at bcw.edu or by calling 1-877-BE-A-HERO (1-877-BE-A-HERO).

“BloodCenter of Wisconsin is proud to support Aurora Health Care through this event, which highlights the constant need for blood donations and how the selfless generosity of blood donors helps patients in need. Together, we continue to raise awareness and educate the public through this life-saving initiative,” says BloodCenter of Wisconsin and Versiti Chief Marketing Officer Gitesh Dubal.

Aurora Health Care is one of the largest users of blood and blood byproducts in Wisconsin. Aurora’s caregivers donated blood in record numbers in 2017, giving more than 3,400 units. That number is an increase of more than 1,400 units over the 2016 number, which was a 40 percent increase in the previous year’s donation.

The Aurora Weeks of Caring program builds on Aurora Health Care’s longstanding tradition of community service. In 2017, Aurora caregivers participated in a variety of volunteer opportunities, including reading to local classrooms during Read Across America and helping local food pantries and other community organizations with their needs.

The next Weeks of Caring effort for Aurora caregivers will be held February 27 to March 5, with a focus on children’s literacy.

About Aurora Health Care
Aurora Health Care is a not-for-profit Wisconsin-area health care provider and a national leader in efforts to improve health care quality. Aurora offers services at sites in more than 30 counties throughout eastern Wisconsin and northern Illinois. Aurora is Wisconsin’s most comprehensive health care provider and the state’s largest private employer. Aurora serves more than 1.2 million patients every year via a comprehensive network of facilities, services and providers, including 15 hospitals, more than 150 clinics, more than 70 pharmacies and more than 33,000 caregivers. As evidenced by more than 300 active clinical trials, Aurora is dedicated to delivering innovations to provide the best possible care today, and to define the best care for tomorrow. Get helpful health and wellness information via the Aurora MyHealth blog, our Facebook page, our Twitter account and our Pinterest account.