Quality Health Strategies Associates Hold Blood Drive

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For More Information Contact:
Deb Keller
VP of Human Resources
kellerd@qhs-inc.org
410-822-0697

Easton, MD, September 15, 2015 – Quality Health Strategies (QHS), an Easton-based health care quality company, held a blood drive on September 8, 2015 in the company headquarters on Marlboro Avenue. Twenty-four Associates donated during the event and some were able to donate double red cells. “The purpose for the blood drive was to take advantage of an opportunity to give back to our community and hopefully raise awareness within our company of the importance of donating blood,” said event organizer Mary Leyden. Leyden is a Health Care Auditor for Health Integrity, a subsidiary of QHS. 

One unit of blood can be separated into several components (red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate). One unit of blood is roughly the equivalent of one pint. Just one pint of donated blood can help save as many as three people’s lives. “Every donor and every pint makes such a difference,” said Dr. Ron Forsythe, QHS CEO. “If each donation saves three lives, our associates may have helped 72 people.”

“Because several of the donors were able to donate double red cells, the number of people helped may be as high as 80,” said Leyden. “According to the American Red Cross, an estimated 38% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate but less than 10% actually do each year—if we won over even a couple of donors, I am happy with that.”

“We are honored to host and participate in an event that makes an impact in our community,” added Dr. Forsythe.” The blood collected at the drive is used to combat the need for blood in the region. Locally, the Blood Bank of Delmarva needs about 350 donors a day to serve 18 hospitals on Delmarva and save more than 20,000 patients each year. Nationwide, someone needs a unit of blood every two to three seconds, and most will need blood in their lifetime.

This is the second blood drive that Leyden has arranged for QHS this year. QHS is the parent company to Health Integrity, Delmarva Foundation, and the Quality Health Foundation with a focus on improving health services and programs across the country.