Baystate Health Blood Drive Slated for March 13 at Shriners Hospital

SPRINGFIELD — The Baystate Health Blood Donor Mobile will host a blood drive on Tuesday, March 13 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Shriners Hospitals for Children – Springfield parking lot, located at 516 Carew St. All blood types are needed. Eligible donors will receive a Dunkin’ Donuts or Big Y gift card.

Blood donations take approximately 40 to 45 minutes to complete, including the interview, donation, and refreshments. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, have a photo ID, be in good health (no colds or sore throat), and not have donated blood within the past eight weeks. They should have a good meal prior to donating, drink plenty of fluids, and bring along any lists of medications they are currently taking.

“Donating blood with the Baystate Health blood-donor program is so important because the blood stays right here in Western Mass. to support patients in the local community at all Baystate Health hospitals. The reality is that is you never know who might need blood — it could be a family member, your mom, your dad, your brother, sister, a friend, a neighbor, that person that you walked by this morning,” said Amy Benson, blood donor support recruiter with the Baystate Health Blood Donor Program. “One hundred percent of the blood donated to the Baystate Health blood-donor program supports Baystate Medical Center, the only level-1 trauma center in Western Mass; Baystate Noble; Baystate Wing; Baystate Franklin; Baystate Mary Lane; and the D’Amour Cancer Center. We are truly grateful and appreciative to our donors in the community and local organizations, like Shriners Hospital, that support our local blood-donor program throughout the year. “

Appointments and pre-registration are recommended; however, walk-ins are also welcome. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call the Baystate Health Blood Donor Program at (413) 794-4600.