Frisco mom, advocate named to National Blood Donation Hall of Fame
Fresenius Kabi recognizes U.S. honorees for their dedication to blood donation programs
The following press release is provided courtesy of Fresenius Kabi.
LAKE ZURICH, Ill. — Fresenius Kabi, an operating company of Fresenius, today named 12 new inductees into the National Blood Donation Hall of Fame. Nominated by blood centers across the United States, the honorees were chosen for their extraordinary commitment to donating blood or for encouraging blood donation.
Many of this year’s inductees were initially inspired to donate blood or organize a blood drive after a friend or family member received a life-saving blood donation. Others became donors to honor the memory of loved ones, and still others give blood to build connections within their community. All have made a significant commitment to blood donation in their lives.
This year’s honorees join more than 300 prior honorees inducted into the Fresenius Kabi National Blood Donation Hall of Fame in the last 26 years.
“Giving blood is lifesaving work—a single donation can save multiple lives,” said Eddie Kubo, senior vice president of commercial operations in North America and China for Fresenius Kabi’s MedTech business that makes advanced blood-transfusion technologies. “This year’s honorees have helped save countless lives, and we honor and celebrate them for their enduring and incredible commitment.”
The 2024 inductees and their nominating blood centers are:
- ANA CRUZ HOLLINGSWORTH – Carter BloodCare, Bedford, Texas
- SUSAN MALLOY – American Red Cross, Greater Pennsylvania Region, Northeastern Pennsylvania District
- JASPER SMITH – American Red Cross Blood Donation Center, Oakland, California
- ROBERT HUNGERSCHAFER – American Red Cross, Vancouver, Washington Donor Center
- J. DAVID MYERS – Blood Bank of Delmarva, Newark, Delaware
- MONTE ENGH – LifeServe Blood Center, Johnston, Iowa
- ALEJANDRO HERRERA – OneBlood South Miami, Florida Facility
- HUSTON OCHOA – OneBlood Ft. Lauderdale Commercial, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
- RAY LEBRON – San Diego Blood Bank, San Diego, California
- JUDITH LAMUSGA – Solvita Blood Center, Dayton, Ohio
- THE FONTANEZ FAMILY – Versiti Blood Center of Illinois
- BERTHA AXTMAN – Vitalant, Minot, North Dakota
National Blood Donation Hall of Fame inductees are featured in an annual calendar used by blood centers to highlight the stories about their contributions to this important cause.
Ana Cruz Hollingsworth’s son was born with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and spent his first 10 days on life support.
“I remember individuals wearing nursing scrubs, repeatedly entering Zane’s room with a small cooler. Constantly, that little cooler brought the blood my son needed to survive.”
Zane thrived after his ordeal, which Ana attributes to the expert medical care and “those people — our anonymous heroes — who donated blood so my baby would have an opportunity to live.”
To read about this year’s 12 inductees, please visit National Blood Donation Hall of Fame.
About Fresenius Kabi
As a global health care company, Fresenius Kabi is Committed to Life. The company’s products, technologies and services are used for the therapy and care of patients with critical and chronic conditions. With more than 43,000 employees and present in over 100 countries, Fresenius Kabi’s expansive product portfolio focuses on providing access to high-quality and lifesaving medicines and technologies.
Fresenius Kabi is a global leader in supplying blood collection bags and devices, supporting blood banks and health care facilities worldwide. The company’s I.V. Generics and Fluids for infusion therapy help save millions of lives every year, in emergency medicine, surgery, oncology, and intensive care.
For more information, please visit www.fresenius-kabi.com.
