The gift of blood saves lives, and there is an increased need for blood during the pandemic since blood and platelets cannot be manufactured – they can only come from volunteer donors. Below, meet a couple of HCA Healthcare colleagues who’ve donated blood to help patients and their communities. If you have already donated blood or plasma, log your donation as volunteer service on our giving and serving platform.
After recovering from a mild case of coronavirus, Dr. Fauston Devecchi (pictured left), a physician advisor at HCA Healthcare’s West Florida Hospital, knew he wanted to help others fighting the virus. He donated
his plasma at a convalescent plasma drive organized by his hospital.
“Donating convalescent plasma is a simple way to contribute to the well-being of our communities, our neighbors, our families; and a very easy one to pursue,” says Dr. Devecchi (read more about Dr. Devecchi’s experience).
Katie Grams McGovern used to be afraid of needles, but when she became the blood bank supervisor at Lakeview Regional Medical Center 10 years ago, she refused to ask others to give blood and not give herself.
Over the past decade, she’s given nearly 5 gallons of blood and partnered to host 42 blood drives. “Our drives have nearly doubled in participation, and I know that I’m not completely to credit for that, but I do tell people that if they need me to talk them through it, I will — I’ll even hold their hand,” says Katie. “Giving blood is a beautiful and simple thing and a great way to make a direct impact on patients' lives.”
