White County Medical named Red Cross Sponsor of the Year

SEARCY — White County Medical Center was named the Red Cross Sponsor of the Year for the Greater Ozarks/Arkansas Region.

White County Medical Center clinical laboratory specialist and blood bank supervisor Brenda Maddock is in charge of the blood drives held at the hospital. She accepted the award from Red Cross donor recruitment representative for the Greater Ozarks/Arkansas Region Becky Stricklin at the most recent blood drive.

“Brenda is familiar with the schedules of several co-workers and constantly ensures that regular donors give blood,” Stricklin said. “Also, she makes sure we have hospital volunteers to take careof the donors at the canteen after they donate. Brenda and WCMC do such a good job. Everyone’s commitment to donating blood helps the hospital; it is very beneficial for both the hospital and for Red Cross, because it allows us to keep blood on the shelves for the patients who need it.”

Maddock said collecting blood is especially difficult during the summer months because students are out of school and so many other regular donors go on vacation.

Yet, summer is a critical time when blood is needed, especially around holidays, including Memorial Day and the Fourth of July, when the demand increases.

“I think it’s a wonderfulthing that WCMC wants to give back by donating blood to the people of White County; it is important that we provide for our own neighbors,” Maddock said. “As all the brochures say, ‘it only takes a short time to save a life.’ We here at WCMC see the need every day for a safe and adequate blood supply.”

Stricklin said, “Thanks to Brenda’s commitment every two months, White County Medical Center has very successful blood drives. Having a person like Brenda to coordinate and work at the blood drives shows a true partnership between White County Medical Center and the American Red Cross.”