On Sunday, March 4 th the Saint Anselm Holy Name Society hosted the parish’s first Blood Drive of 2018 on behalf of the New York Blood Center in the Academy’s Meletia Hall. The first of three drives held by the parish – the second will be in July and the third in November – the drive attracted dozens of donors who took the time and effort to share the gift of life with others.
Donors were greeted by members of the Holy Name Society as they entered and were assisted, when necessary, in “getting started” on registering their information on the dedicated laptops used by the New York Blood Center to receive and process data.
Upon completing the entry of their information, donors met with a representative of the NY Blood Center, who reviewed with them their medical history, took blood pressure, and checked blood sugar and iron levels.
For those who qualified, and for this drive we were very fortunate in the high percentage of donors who did, the choice was to either make a “regular” donation or to participate in an ALEX donation. An ALEX donation takes additional time, but permits the separation of the blood into several products. Again, the blood drive was fortunate in the number of donors who participated in the ALEX donation process. Afterwards, donors rested up and recharged at the canteen table on fruit juices and snacks (apparently apple juice and Lorna Doone cookies are a delicious combination).
Our thanks to the many donors, whose commitment to this worthwhile activity, makes it possible for the Holy Name Society to
help the New York Blood Center share the gift of life with those in need, and to Monsignor Maloney for his support of the St. Anselm Blood Drives.
For information about donating blood and about future blood drives in our area contact the New York Blood Center:
The New York Blood Center
1-800- 933-BLOOD (2566)
www.nybloodcenter.org
All the best,
The St. Anselm Publicity Committee