December 20, 2002

Mrs. Claus makes special guest appearance

While Santa Claus has been busy with personal appearances at malls across America, Mrs. Claus and her little helper "Jingles" the elf lent Santa a helping hand recently by delivering special gifts and candy canes to MassGeneral for Children patients on Ellison 17 and 18.

Mrs. Claus (a.k.a. Yvonne DelloRusso, a volunteer with the MGH Blood Donor Center) and Jingles (a.k.a. Taylor Poucel, daughter of Kim Cronin of the MGH Blood Donor Center) made their rounds to patient rooms Dec. 17 giving puppy pals to young patients who could not be home for the holidays. Each stuffed puppy came with a signed gift tag from a donor who gave blood at the MGH Blood Donor Center.

The puppy pal campaign is one of several promotional events being held by the Blood Donor Center to entice donors to give the most important gift of all this holiday season— much-needed blood. In addition, platelet donors who give Dec. 24 and 26 and the first 20 blood donors on these days will receive free movie passes.

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