Ernest Franco inducted into Blood Donation Hall of Fame
MONTEREY, Calif. — Ernest Franco, a prolific blood donor and donor recruiter, is being inducted into the Donation Hall of Fame by a company that makes products for the transfusion industry.
Franco will be honored during a special blood drive on Sunday, November 16 in San Juan Bautista, marking the start of the annual Holiday Blood Drive of Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. His story and photo also will be featured in the 2009 calendar distributed nationwide by Fenwal, Inc., the hall of fame sponsor.
"It's a fitting tribute to one of our most dedicated donors," said Nancy Shammas, donor recruiter at Community Hospital. "He has selflessly given the gift of life to patients in need and is a hero to our community."
Franco began donating blood while a college student in 1960 and has never stopped. To date, he has donated 20 gallons. From 1964–66, he served in the Army and recalls his sergeant at Fort Ord marching soldiers to the American Red Cross blood center for "voluntary" donations. For Franco, no nudge from a superior officer was required.
He also has excelled at recruiting other people to donate blood — many for the first time. For more than four decades Franco has organized blood drives at work and through the Knights of Columbus, a fraternal organization of the Catholic Church.
Franco, formerly of Monterey and now of San Juan Bautista, worked in the planning departments of Monterey County and the city of Seaside for more than 36 years and always managed to incorporate blood drives into his job description. He also served on the board of a local chapter of the American Red Cross from 1976-80 and continues to volunteer as a disaster-preparedness instructor and disaster-relief worker.
"We feel so fortunate to have an advocate like Ernie helping us, not only through his own donations but also by getting the word out and encouraging others to donate," said Shammas, who nominated Franco for the honor. "He is dedicated, enthusiastic, and tireless. We are honored to have him in our community."
Blood centers across the country submitted nominations for the Donation Hall of Fame. Thirteen winners were chosen based on their demonstrated commitment and passion to donating blood and encouraging blood donation.
Franco’s induction takes place at 11 a.m. on Sunday, November 16 at Casa Maria, 600 First St., in San Juan Bautista, adjacent to Mission San Juan Bautista. In Franco’s honor, Community Hospital will hold a blood drive at the site from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and donors — new and old — are encouraged to attend.
The event marks the start of Community Hospital’s annual Holiday Blood Drive, an effort to keep donations up during a time when demand is high but supplies are low. The goal is to collect more than 700 pints before the end of the year, through mobile drives and at the Blood Center at 576 Hartnell Street in Monterey.
Donors who give during the Holiday Blood Drive will receive a pocket calendar, have their names published in newspaper advertising about the drive if they desire, and be entered into drawings for prizes.
For more information on donating, go online at www.chomp.org or contact Community Hospital’s Blood Center at (831) 625-4814. The center is open from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays and from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Appointments may be scheduled by phone and drop-ins are welcome.