August 19, 2005

A healthy competition: MGH vs. BWH in blood donation challenge

Armen Young from MGH Police and Security is a regular blood donor at the MGH Blood Donor Center. Giving blood is just one way he feels he can make a difference in the lives of MGH patients. Young and many other MGH employees are gearing up to donate during the fifth annual MGH vs. BWH Blood Donor Challenge Aug. 23 to Sept. 9.

"I regularly donate because I know my blood may go to a child who is in need of it," says Young (right). "I am a dad, and I know how I would feel if it was one of my kids who needed blood. I am happy to help out."

The goal of this challenge is to encourage employees at both hospitals to help the MGH and BWH blood donor centers meet the blood needs of patients during the long Labor Day holiday weekend, a time when donations are traditionally low. All employees who give blood during the three-week contest will receive an MGH/BWH Employee Blood Drive Challenge T-shirt as a special thank you for donating and also will be entered into a drawing to win two roundtrip tickets to any destination served by Independence Air.

The ultimate winners will be the MGH and BWH patients who receive much-needed blood products.

Below is the schedule of activities and fun treats for all MGH employees who donate blood during the challenge.

• Aug. 23 — Challenge kick-off lunch provided by Milk Street Cafe.
• Aug. 24 — Ice cream sundaes.
• Aug. 25, 26, 30 and 31 — Massages, from 11 am to 2 pm.
• Sept. 1 and 2 — All donors will be entered into a drawing for a Comedy Connection package (admission for four, a $50 gift certificate and reduced parking).
• Sept. 6 and 7 — Pizza party.
• Sept. 8 — All donors will be entered to win two free passes to Six Flags or a free pass to a wine tasting event.
• Sept. 9 — All donors will be entered to win one of two Patriots autographed donor T-shirts.

Why is it important to donate blood?
A single blood donation can be used to help several patients at once because the unit is separated into red blood cells, platelets and plasma. These components are given to patients suffering from leukemia or hemophilia, to accident victims, to patients undergoing chemotherapy or to those who have lost blood during surgery. The need for blood always exceeds the available supply, so donors can be sure that their blood will not be wasted.

How long does it take to donate blood?
The actual donation process takes eight to 10 minutes, but donors should allow 30 to 40 minutes for the entire visit. The estimated time to donate blood also includes a few minutes spent relaxing in the Blood Donor Center's refreshment room before resuming normal activities.

To make an appointment to donate as a part of the MGH team, call the MGH Blood Donor Center at (617) 726-8177.