LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Baptist Health and Arkansas Blood Institute have partnered on an innovative program called “Thank the Donor” that provides a way for blood recipients to thank the person who donated their blood. The process maintains confidentiality for both individuals, which is imperative for health-care privacy protections.
“Thank the Donor” makes it possible for patients to send a note or photo to their blood donors by visiting the website at ThankTheDonor.org. Step-by-step instructions make the process easy to follow.
“Baptist Health is proud to implement Thank the Donor,” said Troy Wells, president and CEO of Baptist Health. “Patients and families will have the opportunity to personally thank the blood donor, and in turn the blood donors will know their donation went to help someone in need and will be encouraged to continue making a difference in the lives of patients.”
Heart-shaped tags with the words “Thank the Donor” are attached to the units of donated blood that make their way to the recipient’s hospital room. Special bar codes instead of names are used to match the donor and also ensure anonymity. The program will begin on Feb. 1 at Baptist Health Medical Center-Little Rock and will expand over the coming weeks to Baptist Health’s other facilities utilizing blood products.
“Not many patients ever get the chance to thank their blood donors,” said John Armitage, M.D., president and CEO of Arkansas Blood Institute. “Thank the Donor breaks the communication barriers and offers a new and different way to share a thank you. We know this personal connection will inspire our wonderful donors to keep saving lives.”
Baptist Health is an Arkansas-based, locally owned and managed, not-for-profit, and faith-based health-care organization. Baptist Health is also Arkansas’ most comprehensive health-care organization with more than 9,100 employees operating nine hospitals. For more information about Baptist Health, call Baptist Health HealthLine at 1-888-BAPTIST or visit the website at baptist-health.com. Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or YouTube.