LFM lends a helping hand
Students assist New Orleans blood center
By Amy MacMillan, LFM-SDM Communications Assistant
March 15, 2006
LFM '07 student Sub Datta watched in dismay as images from Hurricane Katrina unfolded on his TV screen last fall. Immediately, he wanted to do more than just sign a relief check. His altruistic instincts kicked in, and he invited his fellow classmates to help out in a more tangible way.
LFM students visited New Orleans in January to help out at The Blood Center. From L-R, back row: Aamir Sundrani, Casey Phoenix, Sub Datta, and Phil Richards. From L-R, front row: Julie Go, Sabrina Chang, The Blood Center Community Development Manager Suzy Potter, and Wini Hebalkar.
"We are here at MIT in this fantastic Leaders for Manufacturing program with super-talented students. This opportunity is right up our alley," he says.
Datta recruited fellow LFM ‘07 students Sabrina Chang, Julie Go, Phil Richards, Casey Phoenix, Wini Hebalkar, and Aamir Sundrani in his mission to assist the devastated city of New Orleans.
The group reached out to Louisiana-based MIT alumni, manufacturing organizations, and other contacts offering to help in any way they could. Eventually, they were introduced to Suzy Potter, Community Development Manager at The Blood Center, a non-profit community service organization in New Orleans, and the primary supplier of blood and blood components in South Louisiana and parts of South Mississippi.
After speaking with Potter over the phone, the LFMers promptly booked a trip and flew to Louisiana at the end of January. Potter took them on a tour of the ravaged region and the group volunteered for one day with Habitat for Humanity.
Datta and the others were stunned by the sights. "It looks like a war zone," Datta says.
Wini Hebalkar is still in shock over what she saw in New Orleans. "I couldn't believe that we were standing in the heart of a city five months after a disaster in one of the most resource-rich countries of the world," she says. "I had seen the after-effects of disasters in other countries (including India), and New Orleans seemed like it was far from being rebuilt."
The group visited The Blood Center, which sustained $2 million in uninsured losses when 4 feet of rising water ruined all of its equipment and hurricane winds damaged the roof. The Center, which served more than 50 area hospitals, had employed more than 300 people, but the staff was downsized by two-thirds in October. In addition, The Blood Center operates 15 donor centers, four of which were devastated, and five of which sustained major damage, according to Potter.
Datta and the others met with Potter in order to scope out the situation. The students learned that raising money through donations is the biggest priority right now, so they are developing a financial and business plan that will ultimately enable the Center to write grant applications and reach its goal of being fully operational again by mid-2006. All donations will be dedicated to the rebuilding and restoration of the lab, and the storage and processing components, which will be permanently located further inland, in the town of Hammond, which is 40 feet above sea level. The main facility in New Orleans, 10 feet below sea level, will house administrative staff only. "The Hammond site ensures that the blood supply for patients will never again be compromised," Potter says.
Dr. Geoffrey Parker, a graduate of the Technology and Policy Program and the Sloan School of Management, is serving as the group's advisor. Parker is an associate professor of Information and Operations Management at Tulane University. The work has been divided among the seven LFMs, who plan to have the business blueprint finalized by mid-May. Datta says they may recruit more students to help out with the plans, and may even turn it into a Tiger Team project.
Potter is looking forward to working with the students. "Any time you have an opportunity to have input from the outsiders looking in gives you another dimension to succeed. Post Katrina has taught us that we have to think out of the box," she says.
"Hopefully, there will be long-term future alliances," she adds.