PALATKA, Fla., October 24, 2022 – In the wake of Hurricane Ian’s devastating landfall in southwest Florida, Georgia-Pacific’s paper and pulp mill in Palatka organized four emergency employee/retiree blood drives last week that generated enough blood to save 372 lives.
Catastrophic storm damage and floodwaters in the southwest Florida region have forced the cancellation of dozens of blood drives with approximately one thousand blood and platelet donations uncollected, according to the American Red Cross.
“Because the region is busy with storm recovery, fewer donors are donating at drives in and around the affected areas,” said Chris Gent, head of the mill’s communications and public affairs. “We are proud of the way our employees and retirees have stepped up to fill an urgent need in our state.”
According to the American Red Cross, someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. One donation can save up to 3 lives, because of how a whole blood donation can be separated into components.
GP partnered with LifeSouth Community Blood Centers for the blood drives.
About Georgia-Pacific
Based in Atlanta, Georgia-Pacific and its subsidiaries are among the world's leading manufacturers and marketers of bath tissue, paper towels and napkins, tableware, paper-based packaging, cellulose, specialty fibers and building products. Our familiar consumer brands include Quilted Northern®, Angel Soft®, Brawny®, Dixie®, enMotion®, Sparkle® and Vanity Fair®. Georgia-Pacific has long been a leading supplier of building products to lumber and building materials dealers and large do-it-yourself warehouse retailers. Its Georgia-Pacific Recycling subsidiary is among the world's largest traders of paper, metal and plastics. The company operates more than 150 facilities and employs approximately 30,000 people directly and creates more than 89,000 jobs indirectly.
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Chris Gent, APR, CPRC
Public Affairs Manager
Original source can be found here.
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