Hoxworth Blood Center 2018 Report to the Community

2018

Our Mission

To enhance the well being of patients in our service area by assuring a reliable and
economical supply of the safest possible blood, by providing innovative hemotherapy
services, and by promoting research and education programs in transfusion medicine.

Our Vision

Hoxworth Blood Center will be recognized
for saving and improving lives in our
community with safe and reliable blood
and innovative cell therapies.

Hoxworth Blood Center, University of Cincinnati, is the only blood
center in the Greater Cincinnati area. Serving Ohio, Kentucky and
Indiana, Hoxworth collects, tests, processes and distributes blood
and blood components to over 30 area hospitals and medical facilities.

Founded by Dr. Paul I. Hoxworth in 1938, the blood center has become
an internationally recognized leader in transfusion medicine. Today,
Hoxworth Blood Center has a staff of more than 270 full and part-time
employees in 21 departments and a complement of more than 300
volunteers.

Senior Management Community Advisory Board

José Cancelas, MD, PhD Richard Aft, PhD, Philanthropic Leadership
Director Tracey Artis, I Hear Music, Inc.
Dawn Berryman, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Christopher Nare, MS, M.T. (AMT) John Byczkowski, Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati
Associate Director/Chief Operating Officer Bernie Calonge, Marsh
Andrew Filak, MD, UC Academic Health Center
Alin Girnita, MD, PhD Clyde Gray, WCPO
Division Director, Transplantation Immunology Mer Grayson, Jr., Central Bank & Trust Co.
Carla Howard, Kelly Youth Services
Judith Gonzalez, BS, MT(ASCP), CLS Myron Hughes, BlueRose Supply
Division Director, Laboratories Staci M. Jenkins, Thompson Hine Law Firm
Camille Jones, MD, MPH, Cincinnati Department of Health
Janice Habel Stephanie Kinney, MD, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Med. Ctr.
Division Director, Quality Assurance Patrick Kowalski, University of Cincinnati
Barry Massa, LifeCenter Organ Donor Network
T. Scott Inscho, CPA Joe Michels, Michels Construction
Chief Financial Officer Colleen O’Toole, PhD, The Health Collaborative
Mark S. Schlachter, Heavy Metal Mark
Ben King Rachel Siekemeyer, MLS(ASCP)cm, The Christ Hospital
Division Director, Donor Operations Nelson Soto, PhD, Union Institute & University
Paul Turnpaugh, General Electric
Thomas Leemhuis, PhD
Division Director, Cellular Therapies

Carolyn Lutzko, PhD
Division Director, Regenerative Medicine
& Cellular Therapies

David Oh, MD
Chief Medical Officer

James Tinker, BS
Division Director, Donor Recruitment
& Community Relations

hoxworth.org 1

Letter from the Director

The Hexagon, or “honeycomb” design, represents efficiency with
no wasted space or energy. The hexagon is found in the chemical
composition of the organic structures supporting life. This symbol can
be viewed as the foundation of the “building blocks” of life and science.

Hoxworth Blood Center is much like the described honeycomb. We
serve as a building block in research and regenerative medicine, along
with being the sole provider of blood products to over 31 hospitals in
the Tri-State area. Our research spans from working cohesively with the
Department of Defense on improving the transfusion of plasma in the
battlefield to developing treatment protocols for trauma and cancer
patients. In addition, we work diligently to ensure that much-needed
blood products are available to patients in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.

In the past year, Hoxworth Blood Center has seen many changes. We
have had leaders depart into retirement and we have gained valuable
team members, beginning with the appointment of Chris Nare as Chief
Operating Officer, Dr. David Oh as the Chief Medical Officer and new
Division Directors for Donor Services and for Laboratories, Mr. Ben King
and Ms. Judith Gonzalez.

Our work will continue to grow and advance in the years ahead, and
Hoxworth will be at the forefront of new breakthroughs and life-saving
research and development.

However, our success relies on the assistance of our community.
Hoxworth serves only as the steward of the local blood supply. We are
asking that each member of the Tri-State roll up a sleeve and help to save
a life by making a blood or platelet donation. Blood cannot be manufac-
tured in a lab — only you can provide this valuable medical resource.

On behalf of the entire, team at Hoxworth Blood Center I thank you for
your past and future contributions. It is with you that we will remain a
building block of science and medicine to our community.

José A. Cancelas, MD, PhD
Director, Hoxworth Blood Center

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Collection Statistics

Hospital Partners

Our hospital partners know firsthand the value of blood donation. They use blood every day to
save the lives of patients in the Tri-State. The graphic below represents the top producing hospital
partners. The list draws from 31 area hospitals that we serve in 18 counties.

Top Producing Hospital Blood Drive Partners*

Cincinnati TriHealth 791 699
Children’s
Hospital 1,498

Medical
Center

2,008

St. Elizabeth UC Health
Health

407 313 256 252 196

The Christ Highpoint Veteran’s Margaret Mary Shriners
Hospital Health Administration Health Hospitals for

Children

A total of 125 blood drives resulting in the collection of 3,285 lifesaving blood products.†

* The referenced collections do not include those made by hospital employees at Neighborhood Donor Centers.
† Donations were made during the time span of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.

hoxworth.org 3

Donor Story

Michael
Brautigam

Michael Brautigam is a familiar face to many he views donating as an important obligation. A
at Hoxworth Blood Center: a regular platelet 40-gallon donor, he eventually moved from whole
donor at Hoxworth Central, he’s been donating “for blood to apheresis donations. “Like many people,
as long as he can remember” and gives on a monthly I was a bit weirded out by the ‘return,’ by getting
(and sometimes bi-weekly) basis. fluids back to replace the volume of what was taken
out—but Hoxworth and other places where I have
But for Michael, making the time to give is more donated are all about the comfort and safety of the
than just a monthly appointment. It’s a commitment. donors,” he says.

Like many regular donors, Michael started out Michael now donates platelets at least once
donating whole blood as a young adult, rolling up a month, sometimes more. And while platelet
a sleeve at high school and college blood drives. donations take longer than whole blood—about
But from the beginning, he had a keen sense of the two hours—according to Michael, the time
impact of blood donation. Michael’s father was a commitment isn’t an issue.
regular blood donor, as well as a firefighter who
regularly went into harm’s way for others. “I’m healthy and that means to me that I have to
continue to do this for as long as I can. I have to
“My father was an NYFD Lieutenant—New York’s make the time, since this is a priority for me,”
Bravest,” Michael recalls. “I grew up in an environ- Michael says. “I donate because I’m able to, and
ment where firemen could and did get severely
injured, and I believe my Dad gave somewhat
regularly to do what he could so that blood would
be available for injured firemen and others.”

That knowledge gave Michael the inspiration and
motivation to make donating a priority—but now,

It’s more than a monthly appointment. It’s a commitment.

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“ Any healthy person can be an ‘everyday hero,’ just by rolling up one’s sleeve.”

people need the products that I am able to produce. “There are everyday heroes who take real risks to
Yes, donating plasma and platelets can take a signifi- save lives; the firemen who run into burning build-
cant time commitment, but I feel as though I have no ings, the men and women of the military who put
choice, because this is something I have to do.” themselves into harm’s way to protect and defend
us, and all too often, to pull their comrades in arms
“I’m CMV negative, and I know that my blood prod- out of harm’s way, at great risk to themselves. I’m not
ucts are able to help little kids,” he adds. “A few one of them,” he claims. “Any healthy person can be
times I’ve been called to donate white blood cells for an ‘everyday hero,’ just by rolling up one’s sleeve. If
specific kids, which really brings the reality of what you’ve been thinking about it but couldn’t find the
I’m doing and how it is needed home.” time or the will, it’s time to harden up and roll up
your sleeve. No risk, just a small time commitment.”
Michael’s commitment is obvious—as of February
2018, he has given blood or platelets with Hoxworth “The blood products I give go to real people with real
Blood Center 249 times, and that doesn’t even count problems, and sometimes they save lives. Although
the donations he made earlier in his donation career. it’s muscle memory by now, this knowledge keeps me
He hopes to reach 100 gallons one day. By any defi- going, and hopefully will inspire new donors to do
nition, Michael is a lifesaver. But for him, it’s just the their part,” he finishes. “If you’re healthy, I think it’s
right thing to do—and something that every eligible an obligation. It’s the right thing to do!”
person SHOULD do.

Can you join Michael and make a commitment to donating? Call us at
(513) 451-0910 for more information and to schedule your next lifesaving donation.

hoxworth.org 5

Collection Statistics

High School Partners

High school donors are vital to Hoxworth, representing the next generation
of loyal blood donors who will continue this act of altruism into adulthood.
Many of these partners have two or three blood drives per year and
include students, faculty, and parents in their life-saving efforts.

Top Producing High School Blood Drive Partners*

Rising Conner HS Ryle HS Moeller HS Mason HS 159 Blood Drives
Sun HS 170 140 134 121 resulting in the

240 collection of
5,603 lifesaving
blood products.†

Goshen HS Cooper HS Little Laurel Oaks Franklin
119 117 Miami HS Career County HS
Campus
110 102
104

* The referenced collections do not include those made by students, faculty, and staff
at Neighborhood Donor Centers.

† Donations were made during the time span of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.

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Collection Statistics

Faith-Based Partners

Many of our partners have numerous blood drives each year in order to reach goals and
maintain a healthy competitiveness amongst one another. Our faith-based partners are
passionate about hosting blood drives, as this is a way congregants can come together and
give the gift of life through blood donation.

Top Producing Faith-Based Blood Drive Partners*

228 218 211

Christ’s Community Church – Trinity Lutheran Church St. Teresa’s
Portsmouth Knights of Columbus

St. John the Evangelist St. George Sardinia Church St. Columban
Catholic Church Church of Christ Catholic Church
161 145 144
137

Cincinnati Immaculate Heart of St. Henry Corpus Christi
Church of Christ Mary Catholic Church Catholic Church Catholic Church

121 119 109 99

* T he referenced collections do not include those made by congregants at Neighborhood Donor Centers.
Donations were made during the time span of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.

hoxworth.org 7

Recipient Story

Kilee Brookbank

Kilee Brookbank is your typical college student: A native of Georgetown,
Ohio, she is currently a junior at Xavier University with a sunny smile.

She is close to her large family, enjoys spending her free time with
friends, and is hard at work completing a degree in communications.
In fact, it would be difficult for most people to tell that she almost lost her
life in a house explosion in 2014—and that blood products helped her on
the long road to recovery.

Kilee was 16 years old in November of 2014, when her world was turned
upside down in a matter of seconds. After arriving home from school one
afternoon, she noticed an unpleasant smell and decided to light a candle
to mask the odor.

“As soon as I lit the candle, everything blew up,” Kilee recalls. “I fell
backwards and woke up to my dog barking at me. We ran out of the
house and went to my neighbor’s.”

The neighbors had already heard the massive explosion, and sprang into
action when Kilee came running for help, with her hair singed and burns
covering her body. They poured water on her burns and waited with her
after calling an ambulance and her parents.

“I ended up being air-cared to Children’s Hospital where they realized they
couldn’t do as much for me as they needed to,” Kilee says. “From there,
they transported me across the street to Shriners Hospitals for Children
where I stayed for 38 days.”

The explosion had resulted in burns on over forty percent of Kilee’s
body—many of those burns being third-degree. Kilee says the painful
recovery process took a full year, but blood products were among the first
treatments she received at Shriners.

8 hoxworth.org

“In my first few days at Shriners, I received blood two separate times “I would not be where I am
because I had lost a lot of blood from the accident,” she says. “Without this today if it weren’t for blood
blood, it would have been very hard for me to keep living, let alone recover donors and their selfless
from this experience.”
acts of kindness. My
Kilee’s recovery process was long and painful—she needed multiple skin
grafts and extensive care for the burns that covered much of her body. recovery would not have
And even after being discharged from Shriners ahead of schedule, she been what it was if it
had to return a few times a week for rehab sessions involving lots of weren’t for their amazing
stretching and physical activity. But Kilee was determined to get back to donation.”
her normal life, and soon her visits were reduced to once a week, then
every few weeks, and now to check-ups every year.

“Today I am doing great,” Kilee says. “I am a college student living a
normal life, and I have decided to turn this horrible thing that happened
into a good thing. My mom and I wrote a book called Beautiful Scars: A Life
Redefined to tell our story and hope to inspire others in similar situations
to keep living and push themselves to be great in life, despite their differ-
ences. I also am a patient ambassador at Shriners where I talk to kids who
are like me to give them and their families hope in their recovery.”

And while Kilee is back to living the normal life of a college student, she
has not forgotten the impact that blood donors have had on her recovery.

“I am deathly terrified of needles (which is ironic, I know), and because
of this I never have given blood,” Kilee says. “But if you are thinking
about donating blood, think about all the potential people that it could
help. I know how it feels to help people in any way that I can and it feels
so rewarding to do so. This is just one other way that people can help
others, and it may even change someone’s life.”

hoxworth.org 9

Collection Statistics

Business Partners

Our dedicated business partners within the Tri-State
continue to make a dramatic impact on collections.
Business partners host blood drives in offices, factories
and retail environments or on one of our mobile blood donor
buses. Our organizations are vital to Hoxworth and the patients
we serve.

Top Producing Business Blood Drive Partners*

600

500

400

300

200

100 619
588
554
535
394
368
299
268

0

Gamble Third Bank EthicGoenneral Electric CinciKnrnoagteirFinancWiaelsCteorrnpF&inaSRnoocubitaehlrntGeBrroonuspch AStueteorminogt,ivLeLC
Fifth
Procter &

* T he referenced collections do not include those made by employees at Neighborhood Donor Centers.
Donations were made during the time span of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.

10 hoxworth.org

Collection Statistics

College Partners

Close proximity to several colleges and universities is a great benefit
to Hoxworth. These institutions champion our mission and encourage
their students, faculty and staff to become blood donors. Many
institutions host multiple drives throughout the year over consecutive
days. In addition to the all-campus drives, there are smaller groups at the
University of Cincinnati that host their own blood drives, such as fraternity/
sorority groups, College of Law, College of Engineering, and others.

Top Producing College Blood Drive Partners*

2,912 435 383

University of Cincinnati Northern Xavier
Kentucky University University

150 53 53 50 38

Mount St. Joseph Thomas More Ivy Tech Cincinnati God’s Bible
University College State College
25
30 29 12 6

Gateway Chatf ield Miami Beckf ield Galen College
Community & College University College of Nursing
Technical College Hamilton Campus
hoxworth.org 11
* T he referenced collections do not include those made by students, faculty, and staff at Neighborhood Donor Centers.
Donations were made during the time span of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.

Air Care

UC Health Air Care

It’s a bird. It’s a plane. Wait… it’s UC Health Air Care completing a lifesaving mission
transporting a patient to University of Cincinnati Medical Center.

The UC Health Air Care staff — made up of 18 specially-trained nurses, more than 30 flight
physicians, 12 communications specialists, seven mechanics and 13 pilots — accommodates
requests like these on a near daily basis, often transporting patients to UC Medical Center,
the region’s Level I Trauma Center, where the most complex healthcare needs can be
addressed.
The helicopter is essentially a compressed trauma unit that caters to patient needs in flight.
One such need is blood transfusion—a procedure that is often necessary in cases of severe
trauma. Bearcat I lifts off each time with a supply of O negative packed red blood cells and
A positive liquid plasma.

William Hinckley, Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine and Medical Director of UC
Health Air Care, sees firsthand the importance of blood donation. “I’ve been doing this for
17 years. People will bleed and be in hemorrhagic shock. With blood transfusion we can
bring them back — bring back their ability to carry oxygen and form clots. These units of
blood do not just magically appear out of thin air. We need volunteer blood donors.” Dr. Hinckley challenges
his team to “schedule a life save,” in other words, schedule a blood donation. In keeping with a practice what
you preach philosophy, Hinckley donates four times each year.
The next time you hear the chopper overhead, be aware that the blood you have
donated could be used to save a life on transport to the hospital. If you haven’t
made a blood donation, let this be a reminder that you are needed. You can help
save a life close to home.

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Collection Statistics

Patient Replacement

At times, when a friend or loved one is fighting to survive an illness
or trauma, we often find ourselves asking the family and medical
professionals, “What can we do to help?” One way is to join a growing
number of families and friends that have become active participants in the
treatment of patients fighting to survive. During the past year, families and
friends hosted 12 blood drives to honor individuals who had received blood
transfusions. These drives resulted in the collection of over 756 lifesaving
blood products, which were then used in our 31 area hospitals.*

Top Producing Patient Replacement Blood Drive Partners†

89 82 79 48 44
228
Charlotte’s Tony Merk
Storm Bratchett Judy Heart Memorial Sopia Carla Howard
Morand Blood Kappen Sickle Cell
Memorial Drive Blood Awareness
Blood Drive Drive Blood Blood Drive
Drive

41 39 31 30 26 19

Ben Strong Julia Robyn Sam Holden Madeleine
Give Back Gardner Oshita Barnhouse Gilkinson Luongo
Memorial Memorial
Blood Blood Blood Drive Blood Drive hoxworth.org 13
Drive Drive

* The referenced collections do not include those made at Neighborhood Donor Centers.
† Donations were made during the time span of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.

Hoxwoth Lab

The Rare Blood Program:
Meeting the Needs of the Community

Hoxworth Blood Center is primarily known for collecting lifesaving blood products
for hospitals across the Cincinnati area. However, Hoxworth also boasts a robust
research department with multiple components—all focused on maintaining the
most high-quality, safe and effective blood supply for patients.

One department of Hoxworth Blood Center, the Immuno-
hematology Reference Laboratory (IRL), combines clinical
transfusion medicine with on-going research initiatives to
resolve complex blood group antigens with molecular testing.
The end goal of this work is to provide matching blood to patients
needing frequent transfusion. We spoke with the IRL Technolo-
gists about the complexities of the work being done in the IRL

at Hoxworth Blood Center.

Hoxworth Blood Center’s IRL works to find appropriate donor
matches for patients with unusual blood types, the majority of
which are patients with sickle cell disease. Sickle cell disease
is an inherited characteristic which causes a person’s red blood cells to sickle
when they are in oxidative stress situations. Instead of being the typical round,
bi-concave disc shape, they become hard and pointed and struggle to move
through the body’s circulatory system. In many cases, sickle cell patients need
regular transfusions of healthy blood to prevent pain, infections, organ damage
and strokes caused by sickle cells clogging the venuels. Because of these fre-
quent transfusions, patients often develop antibodies to certain components
within the blood they receive. The IRL’s rare donor program ensures sickle cell
patients, along with other sensitized patients, receive the safest and most
compatible blood available.

The complexity of the human immune response when exposed to transfused
blood can be difficult to understand, but is more easily explained as what occurs
in the body when a person receives a vaccine. When someone gets a vaccination

14 hoxworth.org

at their doctor’s office, their body responds to the gene in the Rh
unknown intruder by creating antibodies to fight Blood Group
off the intruder. While this is a healthy response, System that likely
and helps the person’s body build up their immune was inherited from her ancestors.
system to protect against the disease, sometimes
the body’s production of antibodies can be harmful The IRL Technologist added that when Jane Doe
to the patient—and this is the case for many of the received her first transfusion during surgery, she was
IRL’s rare blood transfusion recipients. exposed to the part of the gene in her blood that she
does not have. Thus, her body created an antibody
Because their blood type is more complicated to fight off the intruder since it was not recognized
than a simple A, B or O, these patients react to the as familiar. Now, due to this antibody and the very
differences between their unique blood type and high frequency of the blood group gene, her body
the blood they receive in a transfusion. If the blood will attack virtually all blood except her own. For
is too unlike their own, the patient will eventually this reason, the IRL keeps some of her blood frozen,
develop antibodies, making it difficult to successfully in case she would need an emergency transfusion.
transfuse the patient again. Doctors rely on With this knowledge, the IRL specialists have contin-
Hoxworth Blood Center to match the patient’s ued to do research and test Jane Doe’s blood for over
blood type on a much more specific level. 20 years.

One patient, who will be referred to as Jane Doe, Through widespread research done within Hoxworth
first came to Hoxworth Blood Center’s attention in and at facilities across the country, experts were
1996. While Jane Doe is not a sickle cell patient, able to identify some of the genetic changes causing
she does have a very unique blood type. “When Jane Doe’s unique blood type. “We’ve tested her
we started doing testing, we realized she had a extensively. We know how her cells react and we
very unusual antibody in that it reacted with know what her phenotype is. We also sent out the
every cell that we could test it with,” said the IRL patient’s specimen to testing partners who perform
Technologist. While the exact causes of this are still molecular sequencing to determine what genes are
being researched, Jane Doe has a partially deleted present,” stated the IRL Technologists. While much

The IRL’s rare donor program ensures sickle cell patients, along with other sensitized

patients receive the safest and most compatible blood available.

hoxworth.org 15

Hoxwoth Lab

of the research has been done at Hoxworth, the IRL case. It isn’t fully resolved; we still don’t know the
team is committed to collaborating with other blood exact structure of her genes,” stated the IRL team.
experts across the country in order to learn exactly It is the hope that the presentation to the AABB
what makes Jane Doe’s blood so unique. will foster increased interest and create meaningful
conversation. “Expectations are that this will
Jane Doe’s interesting case ties in with the IRL’s generate much discussion, which is what we want
project of obtaining the molecular genotype of it to do,” stated the IRL team.
Hoxworth’s donors. At the end of June the IRL will
have typed 9,000 donors… and we hope to continue Technological and scientific advances in blood
to do so until all donors have a molecular genotype. banking are credited for improving the testing
Then we can do a much better job at matching used for Jane Doe’s blood. “It shows how far blood
our rare donors and recipients.” This extensive banking has come, and we’re trying to do this same
testing can help match rare donors and recipients extensive matching with our sickle cell patients,”
according to more specific criteria, which helps stated the IRL Technologist. “Now, we know how
patients experience less side effects after to look at the genes and see what’s occurring, but
receiving a blood transfusion. in this case, it’s still very complex — we still don’t
really know what mixture she has and where it
Hoxworth IRL team, along with other experts in the came from.”
field, presented a study on Jane Doe’s blood to the
American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) in The IRL team believes that with even more testing,
October of 2018. After two decades of research, the possibly at the RNA level, the specifics of Jane Doe’s
specialists now feel they have enough information blood type could be revealed. “It would require
on Jane Doe’s rare blood type to share their findings some special, next-generation sequencing,” stated
with their colleagues. While not every expert agrees the IRL team. While Jane Doe’s case is not yet fully
on the exact composition of Jane Doe’s blood, resolved, the technologies used to test her blood
“everyone who has worked on this wants to collab- are now used throughout Hoxworth to create an
orate; that’s the best thing to do to fully resolve this even more effective blood supply.

Hoxworth Blood Center is more than a place to save lives through blood donation.
It is the combination of clinical medicine and groundbreaking research that betters
the lives of patients in addition to the transfusion medicine industry as a whole.

16 hoxworth.org

Collection Statistics

Special Events

Many of our donors wait patiently each year to participate
in their favorite special event blood drive. We are fortunate
to have many community partners that support volunteer
blood donation and assist in bringing these events to life.
Donor incentives and player appearances make these
events a fun filled day of giving.

Top Producing Event Partners*

2,553 1,871 1,530 1,460

(2 weeks)

FC Cincinnati Week Reds Week Zoo Week Bengals Week

907 604 352 237 133

Bark Week Gold Star Queen City Montgomery Cincinnati
Blood Drive Inn Comic Expo

* D onations were made during the time span of July 1, 2017 through June 30, 2018.

hoxworth.org 17

Recipient Story

Carla Howard:

A Sickle Cell Story

A lifelong Cincinnatian with a beaming smile, Carla Howard
might seem like any other person on the street.

She works at a local non-profit organization, loves spending time with
family and friends, enjoys traveling and reading. However, sickle cell
disease has had a significant impact on her life, and she uses her experi-
ences to mentor younger sickle cell patients as well as advocate for blood
donations from the community.

Carla’s journey with sickle cell disease began at the age of two, when, as
her mother puts it, she “cried a cry she had never heard before.” After
visiting Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Carla was diagnosed with sickle
cell—a blood disorder that changes normal, round red blood cells into a
rigid, crescent moon shape. These abnormal cells can block blood vessels,
impede oxygen flow and cause extreme pain.

“In my younger years, Sickle Cell definitely affected what I classify as
‘being a kid,’” Carla recalls. “There were no therapeutic offerings like
there are today. I learned very early that I had to be very responsible of my
time and mental state. My activities were limited. I plunged into my school
work diligently, because I never knew when Sickle Cell wanted to knock
at my door. I remember spending a lot of time in the hospital over holiday
breaks while my classmates were off enjoying themselves. That reality
was tough.”

And sickle cell as adult brings its own unique challenges. As an adult,
Carla says that sickle cell affects her mentally and logistically: “I have to
do things very strategically — scheduling of fun, sourcing employers who
truly understand work-life balance, always being ready to ‘explain’ sickle
cell, and mostly overcoming the thoughts that can invade my mind daily.”

18 hoxworth.org

“ The individuals that have to live with the fatal disease known as Sickle Cell need

your help. We will forever be indebted to you for giving us the opportunity that

some take for granted…LIFE.”

Understandably, sickle cell is a constant weight on the On that day, though, it took longer than usual to find an
back of Carla’s mind, and the uncertainty of when the appropriate match.
disease will flare up can impact her mood. “The thing
I dislike most is when individuals stereotype my “I was being admitted to “wait” on blood. It caught
behavior…and instead of asking if everything is okay, me completely off guard,” Carla says. “I missed a dear
they go straight to ‘She is mean.’ No, I’m not mean!” friend’s wedding and potentially would miss our family’s
she says. “But my mind is in overdrive thinking about vacation. Nerves were on overdrive, but I got settled in
how the rest of my week may go, because I have a my room and waited. And waited some more. There were
nagging pain in my back.” a lot of tears and anxiety.”

“Walking in the shoes of a Sickle Cell patient,” she Finally, after a 96 hour start-to-finish process, Carla
adds, “isn’t something I would wish on anyone.” received her much-needed blood transfusion. “Transfu-
sions are like that caffeinated drink that gets you going
While the fear of sickle cell flaring up is constant, the but last so much longer,” she says of receiving blood.
actual symptoms are worse—and often debilitating. “I go from feeling sluggish to having a pep in my step.”
In April of 2017, Carla went into a full sickle cell crisis
within a span of two hours. “The pain was the worst I For patients with sickle cell disease, who often rely on
had ever felt,” she recalls. “The crisis left me with a regular blood transfusions to live a normal life, it is
partially collapsed left lung, and my body was not crucial to have blood on the shelf. Not only that, but they
healing in a way that it should. My blood levels were need blood that is matched to their genetic profile. Carla
off and my breathing was short.” hopes that more people in the Cincinnati community will
consider helping patients like her by making the effort to
It was decided that the best treatment would be an donate blood.
outpatient blood transfusion. For sickle cell patients,
it is safest to receive blood that matches closely to And to those who gave the blood she received in April,
their own genetic heritage, as the patient will build she is immensely grateful.
up antibodies due to the large number of transfusions
throughout his or her lifetime. The goal is to find a “THANK YOU!” she says. “Thank you for not being afraid
match from the same genetic background, which can to give a piece of yourself. In doing so, you have allowed
eliminate many of the negative reactions the patients me the ability of pushing my journey a little further.”
will face if they receive blood from a non-matched donor.

hoxworth.org 19

Fundraising

Supporting Our Mission

Hoxworth Blood Center is continuously striving to collect more blood and
recruit more donors; however, rolling up a sleeve isn’t the only way to support
our mission of saving lives.

Hoxworth Blood Center is continuously striving to collect more blood and recruit more donors; however, rolling
up a sleeve isn’t the only way to support our mission of saving lives. Financial contributions sustain and improve
a number of our day-to-day operations. Your donation can help Hoxworth maintain a stable blood supply,
purchase equipment, educate the community on blood donation, and advance our internationally recognized
research division.

There are several ways to financially support Hoxworth’s mission, but there are two main channels: Donating
as an individual, or donating as an organization.

As an INDIVIDUAL: As an ORGANIZATION:

Individuals who are interested in making financial Hoxworth gladly accepts contributions from
contributions to Hoxworth may send checks organizations, whether they are financial
(payable to Hoxworth Blood Center) to: donations or gifts in kind that Hoxworth can
use for recruitment or fundraising purposes.
Hoxworth Blood Center Organizations that are interested in making
Financial Services contributions should contact Scott Inscho,
University of Cincinnati Chief Financial Officer, at [email protected].
PO Box 670055
Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0055

You can also make your gift online through the UC
Foundation by visiting https://foundation.uc.edu/
give (be sure to select Hoxworth under “Fund/
Category”). If you are donating to Hoxworth Blood
Center as an individual, be sure to ask your employer
about matching gifts to double your impact!

Additionally, donors can include Hoxworth Blood
Center in their estate planning, or consider naming
Hoxworth as the recipient of memorial gifts.

20 hoxworth.org

Financial Gifts

The generosity of our community helps to fulfill our mission of saving lives throughout the Tri-State. Hoxworth Blood
Center is very fortunate to have received financial contributions from numerous individuals and corporations during
fiscal year 2018. We would like to recognize and thank our generous contributors for their committment to Hoxworth
and its mission.

Richard Aft Scott Inscho Leah Reynolds
Sandra Beach, PhD Staci Jenkins Marianne Reynolds
Mary Bishop Camille Jones, MD Linda Rixner
BKD, LLP Stephanie Lang Ronald Sacher, MD
Gregg Boothe LaRosa’s, Inc. Mark Schlachter
Margie Boraz Thomas Leemhuis, PhD Securadyne Systems
Paul Brailey LifeCenter Organ Donor Network Charon Serey
Debra Brawn Alecia Lipton Larry Suttles
Pamela Brosz Mark Lipton Taft Stettinius & Hollister, LLP
Bernardo Calonge M + W Group Dorothy Tabor
José Cancelas-Perez, MD Paul Maciulewicz Tony & Eileen Tausch
Demetria Castanias Benjamin Merk Terumo BCT, Inc.
Cerus Corporation Joelle Michels Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
Susan Christy Anthony Montemurro Cathy Turner
Cincinnati Comic Expo Montgomery Inn Velico Medical
James & Diana Conroy Christopher Nare Marlene Vossmeyer
DeBra-Kuempel Carolyn Nickol Michelle Wagner
Stacy Felchner Northern Kentucky Genealogical Society Margaret Wagner
Five Mile Center Colleen O’Toole Mark Washington
Dave Flower David Oh, MD Beverly Wendel
John Gettys Ohio Valley GTO Association Windings of Lafayette
Geoffrey & Christine Gordon Deborah Owsley United Courier
Kimberly Grewe Dana Pawlowicz
Teresa Hanes Priority One Insulation
The Health Collaborative QualTex Laboratories
Myron Hughes Sheikh Rahman, MD

hoxworth.org 21

www.hoxworth.org

3130 Highland Ave, 4th Floor | Cincinnati, OH 45267-0055
(513) 451-0910 | (800) 830-1091