letter to the editor

Record blood drives at YMCA

Mon, 12/14/2020 - 3:45pm

Dear Editor:

I am happy to share that the Red Cross had a record year for blood drives at the Boothbay Region YMCA. In the nine blood drives we ran in 2020, our staff saw 272 people, including 37 first-time donors, and collected 283 units of blood. That’s nearly 40% more than we collected in 2019 and more than any other year, according to the records in our current database, which go back to 2006.

Since each unit of whole blood can be separated into three products—red cells, platelets and plasma—the amount we collected this year potentially saved the lives of more than 800 people. These patients include victims of car accidents, mothers with at-risk pregnancies, babies born prematurely and people battling cancer.

The YMCA’s support is greatly appreciated now because it has helped us maintain a strong blood supply for patients during an unprecedented public health crisis. On behalf of the patients we serve, thank you for all you do to help others.

David Stires

American Red Cross Blood Services