September 22, 2000

The MGH won the MGH/BWH Employee Blood Drive Challenge with 388 employees donating much-needed blood during the three-week contest. BWH also came in with a high number of 232.

The challenge was meant to encourage employees at both hospitals to help the MGH and BWH Donor Centers meet the blood needs of patients during the long Labor Day holiday weekend, when donations are traditionally low.

Both hospitals exceeded their goal of 200 employee donors. Because of the good turnout, both hospitals ran out of Employee Blood Drive Challenge T-shirts. Another order has been placed so that all employee donors will receive the special thank-you gift.

"Patients at both hospitals were definitely the big winners during the challenge," says Joyce Foley of the MGH Blood Donor Center. "The increase in donations couldn't have come at a better time, with blood supplies regionally and nationally at an all-time low. We also increased our employee donor base significantly over the three-week period. We hope that these new donors will continue to give throughout the year."

Nationally, blood supplies have plummeted dramatically this summer. This week, the American Red Cross issued a national appeal for donors to overcome blood shortages. According to the Red Cross, which handles half of the nation's blood supply, the organization had less than the standard three days' supply on hand nationally. Regionally, the local Red Cross reported having only a half-day blood supply.

For more information about how to donate blood, call the MGH Blood Donor Center at 726-8171.

From left, Kim Cronin, Joyce Foley and Kate Grealy of the
MGH Blood Donor Center.