Baystate Health blood mobile. (Photo courtesy of Baystate Health)
SOUTHWICK – On April 17, Baystate Health partnered with the Southwick Big Y to hold a blood drive and Amy Benson, recruiter for the Blood Donor Program at Baystate Health, recently announced the results.
According to Benson, there were nine donors that were eligible to donate blood. Each of the donors received a Big Y gift card, a gold coin, and additional benefits from the Big Y pharmacy that’s in partnership with their wellness program.
“Over 18 lives were saved at local Baystate Health hospitals,” said Benson.
One hundred percent of the blood donated to the program stays local in order to help all Baystate Health hospitals in the area. The hospitals include Baystate Noble Hospital, The D’Amour Cancer Center for Care, Baystate Wing, Baystate Mary Lane, Baystate Franklin, The Baystate Children’s Hospital, and Baystate Medical Center (the area’s only Level 1 Trauma Center).
In order to be able to donate blood, you have to meet certain requirements. People need to be at least 17-years-old, weigh 110 pounds or more, and be in good health. Interested individuals also have to know where they’ve traveled in the past three years, bring all lists of medications they may have, and make sure they have food and fluids in them prior to giving blood.
