Troopers of the Georgia State Patrol were honored as South Georgia Medical Center's Hospital Heroes by the Valdosta-Lowndes County Hospital Authority on April 20 for their implementation of a post-to-post relay delivery of a critical blood shipment.

"Few people realize that Georgia's State Troopers shelter a big responsibility in getting emergency shipments of blood and blood products, as well as tissues, to hospitals around the state when there is a serious need," says Laura Love, SGMC Director of Community Relations.

On March 26, SGMC had a critical need for a rush platelet shipment and the GSP provided rapid transport. SGMC's Laboratory Technologist Lisa Chaney notified the American Red Cross in Douglasville that a critical patient had diminished SGMC's blood platelet supply. ARC acted quickly and prepared the platelet order for transport. That's when GSP stepped up, and with sirens blaring and lights flashing, drove the shipment from Douglasville to Valdosta in 2½ hours using a post-to-post relay process, which was faster than shipping by air.

"These troopers are shining examples of the words 'Public Servants,'" says Love. Post 31 Valdosta Corporal David Sellars, Trooper First Class Kirk Lund, Trooper First Class Patrick Orr, and Trooper Slade Reid Post #13 Tfiton received the awards on behalf of their organization. Trooper Chris Forsythe and Sgt. Elbert Slappy also assisted with the transfer but were unable to attend.