Middle Tennessee Medical Center (MTMC) has been recognized as a Gold level status partner in the American Red Cross Tennessee Valley Region’s Champions for Life campaign.

The mission of the American Red Cross Biomedical Services is to provide the residents with the safest, most reliable, cost-effective blood possible through voluntary donations. MTMC, a member of Saint Thomas Health, has been a valued partner in accomplishing this mission.

MTMC staff and public blood drive donors within the past year collected 93 pints of blood during five blood drives. Each pint of blood has the potential to reach up to three people, meaning almost 279 patients may have benefited from these efforts.

The Champions for Life initiative benefits the Red Cross in two ways: by increasing blood donations at hospital-sponsored blood drives and recognizing hospital sponsors and blood donors for their generous efforts. To meet its top priority of providing safe, reliable blood products to patients in need, the Red Cross depends on partnerships with area hospitals like MTMC.

To honor the hospital and Champion Donors, donor recruitment representative for the American Red Cross Tennessee Valley Region, Daniel Stockton and director of donor resources for the Red Cross Tennessee Valley Region, Garry Allison recently presented MTMC education manager, Mary Lee Barnes and training coordinator, Sherry Davidson with a plaque at The Meeting Room at MTMC.

For more information on how to donate blood, call 1-800-RED-CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information or to make an appointment.