Hugs for the holidays

United Blood Services blood donors made children at Lane Regional Medical Center smile this holiday season when they received a teddy bear as a special gift.

Donors who donated blood between December 1 through December 14 not only gave the gift of life, but also donated a teddy bear as a Christmas gift to a child in need of a little holiday cheer. The "Hugs for the Holidays" campaign allowed donors to choose to send a plush teddy bear to a child instead of receiving a blood donor t-shirt.

“It was a great way for the community to do even more than give blood,” said Sarah Williams, Donor Recruitment Supervisor of United Blood Services, “it was a two-fold contribution; not only were they saving lives by donating blood, but they were also bringing happiness to children who were in need of it during the holidays.”

United Blood Services has been this area’s non-profit community blood provider since 1953, and serves patients in 50 hospitals in 32 parishes. The United Blood Services network is one of the nation’s oldest and largest non-profit blood service organizations, and is a founding member of America’s Blood Centers and the American Association of Blood Banks.