February 4, 2000

MGH employees who donate blood to the MGH Blood Donor Center now will have another recognition gift to choose from when they make their donations. Bonnie Michelman, director of the MGH Police, Security and Parking Department, and staff worked with the Blood Donor Center to arrange free parking for employee donors. The free parking sticker is valid at the Lomasney Parking Garage, also known as the ‘bubble’ garage, on Martha Road off Storrow Drive any day up until 6 pm.

"We hope that this sign of appreciation will encourage the MGH community to donate much-needed blood to the center," says Christopher P. Stowell, MD, PhD, director of the MGH Blood Transfusion Service. "Across the country, we have seen an abnormally low dip in blood donations over the last few months because of extreme weather conditions, the unusually severe flu season and the traditionally low donation period during the holidays. Fortunately, the MGH can rely on our employee population to donate during difficult times. However, we need to continue to build up our employee blood donor base so that we can maintain a safe and adequate blood supply."

Employees who donate blood can choose a gift from the free parking sticker, a coupon book for the Eat Street Café or a coupon book for Coffee Central.

Located on the first floor of the Gray/Jackson Building, the center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 6-8177.

From left, Mike Neville and Bonnie Michelman, from MGH Police, Security and Parking, give a free parking coupon to MGH employee donor Sam Roberts of the Volunteer Department, as Christopher P. Stowell, MD, PhD, director of the MGH Blood Transfusion Service, looks on.