Employees of SalusCare, Inc., the region’s leading provider of treatment for mental health and substance use disorders, showed their support for helping others February 12 by donating enough blood to save 86 lives.
Employees donated 43 pints of blood in the one-day blood drive conducted by Lee Memorial Health System bloodmobiles stationed at three SalusCare locations. Each pint of blood may save two lives, according to officials.
“Our employees work every day to assist individuals and families in our community in many ways. Giving back to the community and being part of the solution is a way of life for our employees, and is another example of their investment in helping our friends and neighbors,” said SalusCare CEO Kevin B. Lewis.
This is the third year of the blood drive, which previously was a challenge between Lee Mental Health and Southwest Florida Addiction Services. The two non-profit agencies merged last summer to become SalusCare, Inc.
The blood donations will be used at Cape Coral Hospital, Gulf Coast Medical Center, HealthPark and Lee Memorial Hospital, which houses the only Trauma Center within a five-county area. Blood also benefits patients at the Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida, The Rehabilitation Hospital and the Regional Cancer Center.
Officials said donated blood has a shelf life of 42 days so it must be continuously replenished to meet the need at area hospitals.
About SalusCare, Inc.
SalusCare, Inc., is the largest, most comprehensive mental health and substance abuse treatment program in Southwest Florida, serving 17,000 people per year of all ages from seven locations in Lee County and two in Hendry County. The non-profit organization offers crisis stabilization, outpatient and residential treatment as well as prevention programming and an Employee Assistance Program for about 50 area companies. The majority of programs are accredited by CARF, the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities.
SalusCare services are not free. Fees are charged on a sliding scale, based on family income. In many cases, private insurance is accepted. SalusCare is a United Way agency.
For more information, call 239-275-3222 or visit www.SalusCareFlorida.org.
Did you know you can text SalusCare at 239-275-3222? Text one of our key words -- “appointment”, “refill”, “billing” or “MAT” for the MAT clinic to let us know how we can help!
