On Monday, Eagle Radio staff and leaders from the American Red Cross and the Schmidt Foundation gathered together to celebrate the purchase of a new Blood Community Emergency Vehicle that will help secure blood donations and get them to those in need for years to come.
The van was secured by a donation from the Schmidt Foundation, with support from Eagle Radio, and features logos for both groups.
Central and Western Kansas Executive Director Sherry Dryden shared the importance of the vehicle during the event.
"This is helping replace 21 vehicles in our fleet," she said.
It will begin its service in the blood donation role and will eventually transition to emergency services during an expected long life with the organizations.
She said vehicles like this one are frequently seen across the state and help deliver blood to around 100 hospitals in Kansas alone.
"This were very critical during COVID-19," she said.
"The past 1 ½ years have undoubtedly been challenging for our Eagle communities, businesses, and the American Red Cross," said an announcement from the Red Cross. "Yet, with your help, you turned compassion into action during some of life’s darkest moments.
"Today, we are honored to dedicate this van that showcases Eagle Radio and the Schmidt Foundation’s generosity and commitment to the communities we serve. These workhorse vehicles are an essential part of our humanitarian mission and are constantly on the go to collect blood, test, and deliver blood. Patients in crisis depend on the Red Cross for lifesaving blood products, and your investment in our blood fleet allows us to meet this critical need."
Specifically, they said the van will deliver specialized equipment, such as donor beds, phlebotomist materials and blood donation supplies, transport collected blood from community-based blood drives to processing, testing and storage facilities and be a part of their fleet that moves 6.4 million units of blood nationwide every year.
