The mission of the American Red Cross Biomedical Services is to provide the American people with the safest, most reliable, most cost-effective blood possible through voluntary donations.  The Missouri-Illinois Blood Services Region of the Red Cross announced Washington County Hospital has been a valued partner in accomplishing this mission, and has reached silver level status in the Red Cross’ Champions for Life campaign.  The Champions for Life healthcare initiative benefits the Red Cross in two ways, which is by increasing blood donations at hospital-sponsored blood drives and recognizing hospital sponsors and blood donors for their generous efforts.  To meet its top priority, that of providing safe, reliable blood products to patients in need, the Red Cross depends on partnerships with area hospitals, including Washington County Hospital.  WCH staff and the public played an integral part in the hospital being able to collect 150 pints of blood through hosting five blood drives in 2013.  Because each pint has the potential to reach up to three people, more than 400 patients may have benefited from their efforts.