Many have heard the mantra to donate blood, but providers in the SouthCoast still are struggling to meet the need.
The Southcoast Hospitals Group (Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham) transfuses about 16,000 units of blood per year, but only collects 37% of that – according to Cathy Alegria, Donor Program Coordinator for the Hospitals Group. The blood is used for patients receiving emergency life-saving treatments, with cancer and other serious illnesses, and or in need of surgery.
The shortfall requires the Hospitals Group to purchase blood from other provides, which drains funds from the system and affects the level of care providers can offer, Ms. Alegris added.
“What we don’t have to spend on blood, we can spend in other areas so the community has easier access to health care,” she said.
The Tri-Town area is filled with volunteers who regularly donate blood, but Ms. Alegria hopes to get the message out there that there is a need for more donors. Some Tri-Town residents recently acknowledged for their blood donations include Mary Hadley of Marion, who has donated three gallons, and Thomas Gray of Rochester, who has contributed 13 gallons.
But “given the number of people in this area, there is potential for more. Educating the public is a huge step,” Ms. Alegria said. Some of the hesitancy in donating stems from fear of needles, she said, but a lot of times people just fail to consider getting involved.
“The number one reason is because they were never personally asked,” she said of why people don’t donate.
Other point she noted is that any blood given stays local.
“All of the blood that has been donated is used within the hospital system. Everything donated is local and does not go anywhere,” she said.
The visit takes about 20 to 30 minutes, but the actual blood removal process takes about 10 minutes. An individual, if they meet the qualifications, can donate every eight weeks. Individuals on many medications are not barred from donating, so it is worth inquiring if you are eligible, she said.
“There is nothing else that doesn’t cost you money that you can save multiple peoples’ lives. That is the part that I hope people realize,” Ms. Alegria said. If the pint is broken down into multiple components, one blood donation can save up to three lives, she added.
The blood donation center operates out of the St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford, but it utilizes a van to collect donations through the SouthCoast.
Rochester resident Judy Borges – who serves as Director of Nursing at Southeast Mass Health and Rehabilitation Center – is hosting a blood drive on March 9 from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm at 458 Acushnet Ave, New Bedford. The drive includes activities for the family, and raffle prizes. (The facility also does free blood pressure screenings each Wednesday in February from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm).
She hopes to draw a large crowd to the event. “It’s good community involvement,” she said. For more information, contact 508-998-1188.
Volunteers also can visit the Southcoast Blood Bank at St. Luke’s Hospital, 101 Page St., New Bedford, off the main lobby. For more information or to make an appointment, call 508-961-5320.
By Laura Fedak Pedulli
