July 14, 2000

The MGH Blood Donor Center had a record-breaking number of blood donors over the Fourth of July weekend. Forty-five MGHers donated blood July 3, adding to the day's total of 91 donors. Thirty-five MGHers and a total of 78 donors came to the center July 5. These two days combined represented the highest employee participation in the last five years.

Top, from left, George Chappell, of the MGH Blood Donor Center, and Ann E. Taylor, MD, of the Department of Medicine; Judy Cote of Surgery, and Mary Caporale, LPN, of the center; and volunteers Rita Denaro and Yvonne DelloRusso.

As a special thank you, the Blood Donor Center offered free ice cream sundaes to any MGHer who gave blood those days. Coupons to Coffee Central and to the Eat Street Cafe also were given, as well as one-day free parking passes to the Lomasney Parking Garage. Employees also received a free T-shirt, water bottle or a tote bag for giving blood. "It was absolutely wonderful," says Joyce Foley, of the MGH Blood Transfusion Service. "It was the best beginning of July we've ever had. We are most appreciative of everyone who came to donate. We hope they'll keep coming back."

To keep blood supply levels up during holiday weekends, the MGH Blood Donor Center has created a holiday club for employees who donate before holiday weekends when blood collections are traditionally low. To become a member, MGHers should register and donate blood four out of nine possible holiday weekends, such as Memorial Day, Thanksgiving and New Year's Day.

For more information or to make an appointment at the MGH Blood Donor Center, call 6-8171.