Mansfield Community Center Blood Drive a Success

Saving three lives is all in a days work for the approximately 85 blood donors who came through the doors of the  Thursday to donate blood to the American Red Cross.

It was a very good turnout,” said James Delage, a blood collector for the American Red Cross. “Better than expected.”

Held in the gymnasium of the Mansfield Community Center, the Center as well as 18 other locations across the state of Connecticut participated in the annual blood drive held by the American Red Cross in cooperation with the Connecticut Broadcaster’s Association (CBA).

“We’re looking to collect 2,500 pints of blood by the end of the week,” said Linda Rego, a team supervisor and nurse for the American Red Cross. “The advertising has really made a difference.”

Rego is responding to the flux of advertising the American Red Cross has received for this particular drive from their cooperation with the CBA.

“Every drive this week was broadcasted on local television and radio stations,” said Rego. “I’m in my car a lot, so I’ve heard it everyday.”

The volunteers, nurses, blood collectors and phlebotomists (the medical professionals trained to gather blood from a persons’ vein) were all working hard to make sure that walk-ins in addition to people with appointments could be seen.

“People with appointments have priority,” said Rego. “But lately, a lot of drives have had only a 50 percent turnout for people with appointments.”

"They were looking for volunteers so I figured I could do it once I retired," said Carol McMillan former elementary school nurse and current American Red Cross volunteer. "I watch for symptoms if the donors aren't feeling well and call for help if something comes up."

The blood collected this week will be transported to the Farmington location of the American Red Cross in red coolers and sorted into three categories: platelets, plasma and red blood cells. “Everyone who gave this week will actually be saving three lives,” said Rego.

And while the drive annual drive ended Thursday, the American Red Cross organizes 12 to 15 blood drives a day, five days a week, throughout the state. “It’s something simple that you can do to help out,” said Mansfield resident Rich LaChappelle.

All nurses and blood collectors ask of blood donors is to eat and drink lots of water. “It’s important to stay well hydrated and to not skip a meal before donating,” said Elissa Chaplin, from the American Red Cross. This way the phlebotomists can collect your blood with speed and ease. “It can take 30 minutes or an hour and a half,” said Rego. “It all depends on how hydrated you are.”