A local man has been doing his part to meet the nation’s urgent need for blood donations and now he’s earned national recognition for it. Scott McGregor of Folsom, has just been inducted into the National Blood Donation Hall of Fame.
Every year, Fresenius Kabi, a global health care company that specializes in injectable medicines and technologies for infusions and transfusions, inducts “heros” into its National Blood Donation Hall of Fame for exemplary commitment to donating blood and/or encouraging blood donation. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Hall of Fame, and MacGregor is among 12 inductees.
“This is a fantastic and well-deserved award for a man with a huge heart to help others,” said local Vitalant spokeswoman, Victoria Wolfe, who is quite familiar with MacGregor’s commitment to help others in the many ways he does. “Whether it’s blood donation, marrow registry, or advocacy Scott’s sincere ask of others educates and encourages them to act. He’s amazing.”
A leader at the area California Highway Patrol, MacGregor knows professionally how important blood donation was. In 2013, when his seven-year-old daughter’s life was saved by blood transfusions and a bone marrow transplant, the cause became personal. He has since donated more than 260 times — and he thinks of both his thriving daughter and the recipient of his gift of life, every time, according to information from Fresenius Kabi representatives.
MacGregor didn’t stop at only donating. He has volunteered hundreds of hours with Vitalant and Be The Match to offer testimony in legislative efforts, and became a transplant courier, traveling around the world delivering precious cargo.
“I’ve been on the receiving end of a truly life-changing gift. The gift of having my daughter’s life saved by 58 blood donors who I’ll never get to meet or thank personally, and a young man who said “yes” to being my daughter’s bone marrow donor and cure. It’s a gift I could never possibly repay, but hopefully one I can try to pay forward for the next patient and family to be blessed by,” McGregor told Folsom Times.
“While I was surprised and honored to even be nominated, the real honor is getting to meet other blood donors committed to saving lives time and time again and the incredible staff who make that possible 365 days a year,” added McGregor, who donates regularly at the Folsom location.
MacGregor also has a particular interest in diversifying the donor base, reaching out to those of all heritages, ethnicities, ages, and socioeconomic status. As a result, Scott can count thousands of new donors and marrow registrants — and their impact for generations to come — as part of his lasting legacy.
“Blood supplies are critically low statewide as well as nationally, and there is a dire need for more blood donor heroes to help save the life of the next patient in need and to bless the family of that patient in the process,” added McGregor. “(I’m) Grateful everyday for that amazing gift.”
Fresenius Kabi marked its 25th anniversary of its partnership with blood donation centers by naming the 12 newest inductees into the Blood Donation Hall of Fame. The latest honorees were nominated by blood centers across the United States for their exemplary commitment to donating blood and/or encouraging blood donation.
Joining the ranks of more than 300 prior honorees, this year’s inductees have donated blood hundreds of times, volunteered thousands of hours to blood donation centers, helped recruit new donors – and saved countless lives. Through their efforts, they have helped patients recover after surgery, survive traumatic injuries and battle cancer and other conditions.
“Blood donation is a selfless, life-saving act, and this year’s inductees have made heroic contributions to bolster the blood supply, which is critically needed to care for patients, especially during the ongoing nationwide shortage,” said Dean Gregory, president, MedTech Global Commercial Operations at Fresenius Kabi. “Congratulations to those joining the National Blood Donation Hall of Fame, and heartfelt thanks for your honorable efforts in providing this vital resource to patients when it matters most. We hope their remarkable commitment serves as an inspiring call to action, encouraging others to roll up their sleeves and help meet the nation’s urgent need for blood donations.”
National Blood Donation Hall of Fame inductees are featured in an annual calendar used by blood centers that highlights the stories about their contributions to this important cause.
To read about the 2023 inductees, please visit BloodDonorHOF.com. To find a blood donation center, visit DonatingBlood.org.
Fresenius Kabi (www.fresenius-kabi.com/us) is a global health care company that specializes in injectable medicines, biosimilars, and technologies for infusion, transfusion, and clinical nutrition.
The company’s products and services are used to help care for patients with critical and chronic conditions. The company’s U.S. headquarters is in Lake Zurich, Illinois. The company’s global headquarters is in Bad Homburg, Germany.
The full list of inductees joining MacGregor are as follows:
Sherman Hirsch, nominated by American Red Cross, North Platte, Neb.
Scott and Samantha Baker, nominated by OneBlood, Fort Myers, Fla.
Jim Walker, nominated by San Diego Blood Bank, San Diego, Calif.
Kirk Hunter, nominated by Carter BloodCare, Bedford, Texas
Larry Turner, nominated by Solvita Blood Center (formerly Community Blood Center), Dayton, Ohio
Yvonne Dauterive, nominated by LifeServe Blood Center, Des Moines, Iowa
Darlene Olson, nominated by Rhode Island Blood Center, Providence, R.I.
Robert L. Sihler, nominated by American Red Cross, Pasadena, Calif.
Pat Henry, nominated by LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, Atlanta, Ga.
Scott MacGregor, nominated by Vitalant, Folsom, Calif.
Nanette Allen, nominated by Vitalant, Rapid City, S.D.
Kelly Robinson, Versiti Blood Center of Illinois, Aurora, Ill.