August 22, 2003

MGHers step up to the plate: Annual blood donor challenge

Summertime means different things to different people – days at the beach, cookouts with family and friends, baseball games at Fenway Park. For hospitals that take care of thousands of patients, this season also can mean a drastic decline in the number of blood donations. Regular blood donors often go on vacation or are less inclined to donate, which can cause the blood supply levels to drop to dangerously low levels.

To address the decline, the MGH once again is participating in the annual blood donor challenge to help increase the number of donations from Aug. 25 to Sept. 12, when donations are traditionally low.

In past years there has been a competition between the MGH and BWH. This year, the competition will feature a friendly rivalry between the "Boston Red Cells" team – which includes the MGH, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Shriners Burns Hospital and Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital – against the "Green Monsters" team – which includes BWH and the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Partners employee donors may choose to participate on either team.

The team that has the most employee blood donors based on a percentage of the employee base will win bragging rights. As a thank you, all employee donors will receive a special "Challenge" T-shirt. In addition, special treats will be offered during each week of the challenge.

Donors for the Boston Red Cells team can call the MGH Blood Donor Center to make an appointment to donate at (617) 724-9699. CNY employees who would like to participate in the challenge can donate at the MGH Bloodmobile Sept. 10, from 8:30 am to 2 pm. To make an appointment at CNY, contact Susan Murphy at (617) 724-6518 or send e-mail to murphy4@partners.org The MGH Bloodmobile also will be at the MGH Somerville location Aug. 27, from 9 am to 2:30 pm; MGH Charlestown Sept. 4, from 9 am to 2:30 pm; and at Spaulding Sept. 12, from 8:30 am to 2 pm.

Blood donor challenge schedule

• Aug. 25 Challenge Kick-Off — Krispy Kreme donuts for donors. Massages, 11 am to 2:15 pm
• Aug. 26 Free Red Sox Duffel Bags (while supplies last). Massages, 1 to 3 pm
• Aug. 27 Massages for donors, 11 am to 1:30 pm
• Aug. 28 Drawing for two free passes to the New England Aquarium
• Aug. 29 Massages for donors ,11 am to
  2:30 pm
• Sept. 2 Pizza party, 11 am to 4 pm
• Sept. 3 Pizza party, 11 am to 4 pm
• Sept. 4 Ice cream sundae bar
• Sept. 5 Drawing for two free passes to the Museum of Science
• Sept. 8 Pancake breakfast for donors,
  8:30 to 11:30 am
• Sept. 9 Dessert buffet
• Sept. 10 Free movie pass drawing
• Sept. 11 Free movie pass drawing
• Sept. 12 Drawing for two free lawn seats
  to the Tweeter Center
  

Bob Erickson flew to Boston from Maine Aug. 14 to make his 200th donation of platelets at the MGH. Here he is pictured with Joanne Carter of the MGH Blood Donor Center, using the e-chair, which makes donating platelets – a two-hour process – comfortable and convenient.