Patients like 11-year-old Nicole Pollard are cared for by MGH physicians and nurses every day. Little do many of these patients know that other MGHers contribute to their care through employee donations to the MGH Blood Donation Center.

Unfortunately, blood donations made at the center from employees at the MGH and other businesses — as well as from patients, family members and other volunteers — recently have been at an all-time low. Decreased donations mean the center must purchase more blood from agencies such as the American Red Cross and the National Blood Exchange, where one unit of blood can cost up to $128. This cost is $80 more than that of collecting blood from volunteer donors at the hospital.

Recently, the need for whole blood and blood components has skyrocketed at the MGH, causing an increased demand on the hospital's blood supply. Particularly over the last year, with the increased acuity of patients, the center's services are more important than ever.

To help address the increased demand, the MGH Blood Donation Center is inaugurating an employee blood donation campaign to encourage more MGHers to assist the center in maintaining a safe and adequate supply of blood products for the hospital.

"Since 1991, blood components transfused at the MGH have increased from 55,796 to 75,677 units annually," says Richard Carson, director of the MGH Blood Donation Center, "but at the same time, our donor population has decreased. Now more than ever, we need to rely on our best resource — our own employees."

The campaign will include educational posters and articles in internal publications, as well as raffle prizes and incentive gifts for employee donors. MGH-sponsored clubs — such as the Running Club, Missing Links and the Bowling Team — already have squared off in a friendly competition to get the most donors during the month of May.

Located on the first floor of the Gray/Jackson Building, the center is open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am to 6:30 pm and Fridays, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. For more information about blood donation or to schedule an appointment, call 6-8177.

From left, patient Nicole Pollard and Cheryl Tierno, RN, of the MGH Blood Donation Center.

Facts about blood donation

• The entire blood donation process takes approximately 45 minutes.

• Because a unit of donated blood is divided into component parts, one unit can help as many as three patients.

• Donated blood goes through a series of tests, and donors are notified of any irregularities.

• Requirements for blood donation include: general good health; at least 18 years of age; weight of at least 100 pounds; no dental work within 24 hours; no body piercing, tattooing, acupuncture or electrolysis within the past year; and other health guidelines.

• MGH policy allows employees one hour during their work day to donate blood.

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