August 27, 1999

Most employees remember their first day on the job at the MGH. It usually is a memory of excitement, anticipation and even a little anxiety. For Susan Sabia of Patient Care Services (PCS), her first day at the MGH was the day she decided to become a blood donor for the hospital. According to Sabia, who is the editor of the PCS newsletter Caring Headlines, it was the employee orientation speech by Richard Carson, director of the MGH Blood Donor Center, that compelled her to try to make a difference.

"Working in a hospital setting as a non-clinician, it's easy to feel there's nothing real you can do to help our patients," says Sabia. "But giving blood gives me a sense of being part of the hospital's overall effort to help people — a sense of contributing in an important and tangible way."

George Chappell of the MGH Blood Donor Center prepares Sabia for blood donation.

The MGH Blood Donor Center appreciates the contributions of all blood donors — particularly employees. Carson emphasizes in his speech to new employees that, if every eligible MGHer donated blood, the center would never have to purchase blood from outside agencies such as the American Red Cross. "We really rely on our employee donors to help keep our blood supply at a safe level," he says. "Particularly in the summer months when people are on vacation, we need the most help."

In fact, early this month only 30 units were being collected per day —  in comparison to the average of 89 units a day that the center usually collects — less than half of what is needed. The summer months are when consistent donors like Sabia are needed the most.

"The Blood Donor Center is literally 300 yards from my office, so it's not an inconvenience for me to donate," says Sabia. "And if I can find the time to have lunch, make a personal phone call, or read the newspaper, then I can certainly find time to do something that is really important, like giving blood."

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. Blood drives are also planned at CNY for Sept. 16 and Nov. 11. For more information about blood donation or to schedule an appointment, call 6-8177.