Bigfork Valley's Laurel Laudert receives Award

Bigfork Valley congratulates Laurel Laudert who was honored as Coordinator of the Year by Memorial Blood Centers at a ceremony in Carlton on May 11.

"If you have ever been to Bigfork...it's not a very large town," said Rachael Paavola, Memorial Blood Centers donor recruitment representative in her introduction. Yet last year the Bigfork community donated 140 units of blood in four drives, placing it fourteenth among all the community partners from Bemidji through the Arrowhead which support the blood center.

In all, Memorial Blood Centers donors supplied 11,842 units of blood in 2010, potentially impacting over 35,500 lives. "The work here means so much to so many people," said Ken Kieffer, a vice president of the organization.

"I see my role as blood drive coordinator as a ministry here at Bigfork Valley. The blood drives have been successful only because the generous donors agree to share a very valuable resource. They realize they are making a difference and their blood can save lives," said Laudert, who is the activities coordinator at Bigfork Valley Communities.

The bloodmobile is hosted on the Bigfork Valley campus when it comes to Bigfork. "This is a service we are very happy to provide," said Dan Odegaard, CEO. "Having an adequate supply of blood products is of critical importance to the health care mission of medical providers in our region, and we thank those who make the commitment to support the bloodmobile, and to Laurel for her dedication in making the opportunity to donate possible."

For more information on eligibility to donate or to make an appointment for the next Bloodmobile visit in Bigfork, call Laurel Laudert at (218) 743-4148.