The Red Cross Massachusetts Blood Services Region provides blood to 73 hospitals.
07.12.2011 | The Republican photo by Dave Roback | CHICOPEE – Rachel Mercier a collection specaliist for the American Red Cross, right, collects blood from Darlene Fanos of Chicopee at the blood drive at the Castle of Knights on Tuesday.CHICOPEE – Kelly Kiltonic, of Westfield, chose to bring her three daughters along with her when she gave blood Tuesday, to show them the importance of giving to back to their community.
“My husband and I give blood every year,” she said. “We wanted the girls to come so they could understand the importance of donating blood. Hopefully when they are older and eligible to donate they will.”
Kiltonic was just one of hundreds of people who donated blood during a community blood drive held by the American Red Cross at the Knights of Columbus on Memorial Drive.
“We are currently critically low on all blood types,” said Nancy Russ, recruitment manager for the Pioneer Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. “We are trying to grow the blood drive to make it the largest in Western Massachusetts. This is the third year we do it, and it keeps growing every year.”
The agency partnered with Six Flags New England to offer a free one-day pass to anyone who donated on July 12.
“Six Flags has graciously sponsored the blood drive, and Friendly’s is sponsoring the state division and giving coupons out for one free carton of ice cream for anyone who donates in July,” she said. “ It’s a wonderful thank you to our donors for coming in and rolling up their sleeves. The need is great right now.”
The Red Cross Massachusetts Blood Services Region provides blood to 73 hospitals and must have 650 people give blood each weekday to meet hospital demand. Accident victims, as well as patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, blood disorders and other illnesses, receive lifesaving transfusions every day. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source.
“This is our third year partnering with the Red Cross and it’s a very important partnership for us,” said Melissa Pinkerton, communications manager for Six Flags New England. “The pass is worth $46.99, but the pint of blood donated by each person can save three lives, so it’s a great value for everyone involved.”
Russ said she was expecting about 900 people to participate Tuesday.
Teresa and Jonathan Lee, of Belchertown, donate blood every year. The Six Flags tickets were an added incentive this year.
“We figured we would come down and do something for the community and also get some tickets to Six Flags for our grandchildren,” she said.
The event included 80 Red Cross staff members drawing and processing blood, as well as a dozen volunteers.
Upcoming community donation events will be held across Western Massachusetts, including Wednesday at the North Adams American Legion, 91 American Legion Drive, and on Thursday at Tower Square, 1500 Main St. in Springfield. For a full listing, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org.