August 18, 2006

Blood drive challenge coming to the MGH

The MGH soon will be infused with a bit of Hollywood glamour as employees across the hospital gear up for the seventh annual MGH/BWH Employee Blood Drive Challenge, which will take place Aug. 22 through Sept. 8. This year's contest is a "battle of the television shows," pitting the American Idol-inspired "MGH American Blood Donor Idols" against the BWH's "So You Think You Can Bleed" team, whose name is modeled after the popular show So You Think You Can Dance. The goal of the competition is to encourage employees at both hospitals to help patients by donating blood at the blood donor centers of each institution around the Labor Day holiday weekend, when donation rates traditionally are low.

During the three-week contest, the MGH Blood Donor Center will offer a number of rewards to thank donors for helping the hospital to meet this year's challenge goal of 275 donations. All employees who donate will receive a special challenge T-shirt and will receive their choice of a free day of parking at the Fleet Center Garage or a $5 coupon book valid either at the Eat Street Café or Coffee Central. Additionally, MGHers who donate in August will automatically be entered to win two free tickets on JetBlue Airlines. A series of special events also are planned for the three weeks of the competition.

The MGH Blood Donor Center is located in the Gray Lobby and is open for whole blood donations Tuesday through Thursday from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm, and Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. The center is open for platelet donations Monday through Thursday from 7:30 am to 5 pm, and Friday from 8:30 am to 3 pm. Appointments are encouraged for platelet donations. Walk-ins are welcome. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call (617) 726-8177.