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Stanford Report, June 26, 2009

Susan Morris, recruitment manager for Stanford Blood Center, dies at 52

Susan Morris

Susan Morris

BY MICHELE HYNDMAN

Susan Morris, donor recruitment manager for the Stanford Blood Center, died from injuries sustained in a car accident on June 24.  She was 52.

“In her brief 14-month tenure with us, Susan brought an exuberance to Stanford Blood Center that will be missed tremendously. I don’t think any of us will forget the electricity she could bring to a presentation, meeting or conversation,” said Harpreet Sandhu, director of donor services for center.

A resident of San Jose, Morris oversaw the team responsible for recruiting blood donors. Often arriving at her office by 5:30 a.m., Morris worked around the clock planning recruitment and outreach efforts, meeting with blood drive coordinators at local organizations and making connections with community leaders to further the mission of the blood center.

“Susan was passionate about two things in life: her children and blood-banking,” said Sandhu. “She had already made an enormous impact on the blood center’s recruitment efforts. She was so dynamic, and worked tirelessly to create awareness and recruit blood donors. Susan felt personally responsible for providing life-saving blood to patients whose lives depended on it.”

Morris had distinguished careers in broadcasting and advertising prior to taking her first job in blood-banking in 1995. A Tennessee native, Morris worked throughout the South before taking her position at Stanford.

Morris is survived by her children, Jeremy, of Atlanta; Lara of Knoxville, Tenn.; and Michele Adler of New York City; and daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Adler.

A memorial service will be held at Stanford Blood Center’s Hillview location at 10 a.m. on July 9 in the courtyard. A memorial blood drive is scheduled for July 22 at the Hillview site from noon until 7:30 p.m. People can call (650) 723-7831 or toll-free (888) 723-7831 or visithttp://bloodcenter.stanford.edu for more information. Donations in her memory can be made to theAmerican Cancer Society.