Saturday's drive drew 60 people and
collected 48 pints of blood, beating
their minimum goal of 30 pints and
exceeding last year's 50 participants
and collection of 44 pints. Every minute
of every day someone needs blood and
that need is increasing, according to
the American Red Cross.
"One pint can save as many as
three people," Dr. Tom McGillick
said.
The day drew 60 participants, five
nurses, one head nurse in charge of
operations, Dr. McGillick, 10 Rotarians
and a handful Interact members. Interact
is the student-based, Rotary-sponsored
service club that involves students from
Lacey Township High School. Rotarians
handled registration. Interact members
manned the refreshment stand.
"We had a great blood
drive," said McGillick, a local
doctor in charge of organizing efforts.
"It was a lot of fun."
Not naming names, McGillick cited a
northern-based blood drive two weekends
ago when he commented that last
weekend's Rotary contribution would make
up for the recent shortage. The less
successful blood drive came in 25 donors
short of their estimated goal.
The Rotary conducts its annual blood
drive on the first Saturday of December
and has done so for the past 10 years.
"That's when blood drives are
usually not held," McGillick
explained, saying that is why the Rotary
tries to contribute at this time of the
year. "I'm going to call Veronica
(municipal clerk) today and reserve the
community hall for the same time next
year."
For information regarding the
American Red Cross, visit
www.redcross.org. To find other local
donation locations, visit
www.givelife.org.
