Baystate Health’s Blood Mobile Is Coming to Palmer and Ware in August

WARE — Summer is a notoriously difficult time for blood and platelet collections because of summer vacations. The community is reminded that the need for blood and platelets never takes a holiday.

The Baystate Health Bloodmobile will host blood drives at two locations in August: Baystate Mary Lane Outpatient Center in Ware on Wednesday, Aug. 29 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Baystate Wing Hospital in Palmer on Thursday, Aug. 30 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Please help us to ensure a safe and adequate blood supply is available by donating blood with the Baystate Health Blood Donor Program,” said Deb Oberg, co-coordinator of the Ware blood drive. “One donation helps to save two lives, and 100{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} of all blood collected on the bloodmobile stays in our community for use in Baystate Health hospitals and facilities.” 

Blood donations take approximately one hour 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 have not donated blood within the past eight weeks. 

“Remember, there is no substitute for human blood,” said MaryAnn Burian, who joins Oberg in the planning and coordination the mobile blood drives. “In appreciation, all eligible donors at both sites will receive a one-day pass to the Big E.”

For more information or to book an appointment in Ware, call Oberg or Burian at (413) 967-2180. For appointments in Palmer, call Joanne Judd at (413) 370-8907.