April 27, 2007

May is Medical Service Blood Drive Challenge month

Throughout the month of May, Department of Medicine physicians and MGH nurses will engage in some friendly competition by donating blood at the MGH Blood Donor Center. The group with the highest percentage of donors will be declared the winner of the third annual Medical Service Blood Drive Challenge.

Left, Peter L. Slavin, MD, MGH president, sets an example for blood donors with George V. Chappell of the MGH Blood Donor Center.

Allan F. Moore, MD, fellow in Endocrinology, leads the physicians in the challenge, and Susan Morash, RN, nursing director for White 11, and Alexis Auger, RN, staff nurse for Bigelow 11, are co-leaders for the nursing groups. Throughout the month, they will rally their teams and encourage them to participate in the competition.

"This is a fun, good-natured challenge that addresses our patients' critical need for blood," says Morash. "Nurses understand that donating blood saves lives, and that is our number one priority."

Adds Moore, "I encourage everyone to donate blood — not just the physicians, but
anyone can make a life-saving contribution. Every donation counts, not only for this competition, but also for our patients."

"Currently, the MGH Blood Donor Center collects 50 percent of the hospital's blood needs," says Kimberley Cronin, manager of the donor center. "The ultimate goal is to have the program provide 75 percent of the blood needed here. Having departments join in a planned effort can help the hospital move closer toward this goal."

Located on the first floor of the Gray/Jackson Building, the center is open Tuesdays through Thursdays, from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm and Fridays, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. For more information about blood donation or to schedule an appointment, call (617) 726-8177.