Holyoke Boys and Girls Club Joins HMC to Recruit Blood Donors

HOLYOKE — Last week, the Holyoke Boys and Girls Club joined Holyoke Medical Center (HMC) in recruiting blood donors to help save lives. Between the hours of 3:30 and 6:30 p.m. on June 14, 16 units of blood were donated.

Summer months are traditionally slower times in area blood-donation centers, but that does not slow the demand. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S needs blood, and more that 17,000 blood donations are needed daily.

More than 50{06cf2b9696b159f874511d23dbc893eb1ac83014175ed30550cfff22781411e5} of the blood needed by patients at the medical center comes from people living in Holyoke, Chicopee, South Hadley, and the surrounding communities, and blood supplies continue to be low. Shortages persist in all categories, and emergency supplies from the Red Cross are often limited.

Holyoke Medical Center is actively seeking blood donors. HMC’s Blood Bank depends on area residents, their friends, and neighbors to help meet the transfusion needs of the local community. If your agency or business is interested in organizing a blood drive at Holyoke Medical Center, contact Joyce Shonak, Blood Bank supervisor, at (413) 534-2591.

The Blood Bank, located on the first floor of Holyoke Medical Center, is open Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Appointments are suggested. For further information or to schedule an appointment, call (413) 534-2591.