Fresenius Kabi Inducts 12 into National Blood Donation Hall of Fame

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 of them 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.

This year’s inductees include:

• A 94-year-old woman who has organized hundreds of blood drives in her community for more than 50 years.
• A man who drives 512 miles roundtrip every two weeks to give blood and to date has made 1,100 donations — more than 330 gallons. His yellow Labrador retriever also donates to a local veterinary blood bank to help ensure injured animals have the blood they need.
• A retired donor who has volunteered 4,300 hours and driven 156,000 miles to ensure blood products are available throughout the region where he lives.

"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:

• 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
• ANA CRUZ HOLLINGSWORTH - Carter BloodCare, Bedford, Texas
• 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 that highlights the stories about their contributions to this important cause. To read about the 2024 inductees please visit, National Blood Donation Hall of Fame. To find a blood donation center, visit DonatingBlood.org.