December 7, 2001

In the days and weeks immediately following the tragedy of Sept. 11, blood donor centers across the country were inundated with an unprecedented turnout of people volunteering to give blood. The generosity of such donors helped hospitals and disaster organizations tend to rescue workers and victims of the terrorist attacks, as well as to many other patients in need of life-saving blood and blood products. Even though the immediate need for medical attention has decreased since Sept. 11, the demand for blood and platelet donors remains high – throughout the United States and at the MGH.

At left, MGHer Pasquale Caputo enjoys a Ben and Jerry's ice cream sundae after donating blood.

"Because so many people responded to the terrible events of Sept. 11 by donating blood, the MGH was self-sufficient in meeting patient blood needs for the first time in decades," says Christopher Stowell, MD, PhD, director of MGH Blood Transfusion Services. "Each donation of life-giving blood products made at our donor center and on our mobile blood unit directly helped patients. None was discarded or went unused. It still is imperative for us all to join together to ensure that our blood and platelet supplies remain at optimal levels. Because the need for blood products is ongoing, we encourage MGH employees and community members to make an appointment to donate at this time."

The MGH Blood Donor Center will sponsor a "puppy pals" campaign this month, in which donors can sign gift cards attached to stuffed beanie puppies that will be delivered to MassGeneral Hospital for Children patients. All donors who give platelets in December will receive long-sleeved T-shirts, and platelet donors who give Dec. 24 and 26 each will receive two free movie tickets.

For more information or to make an appointment to donate, call (617) 726-8177.