Blood Donor Program

Submitted by Blood Drive on Tue, 2007-09-04 14:59.

Upcoming Blood Drives

Bring Valid Photo ID

For Questions Regarding Medical Eligibility, Please Call 1-800-688-0900

Appointments Are Strongly Encouraged

(Visit www.nybloodcenter.org To Schedule An Appointment)

MONDAY, MAY 12, 2008 (3:00 - 8:30 PM)*

Masonic Hall (71 West 23rd Street - 2nd Floor, New York City)

SATURDAY, MAY 31 2008 (10:00 AM — 3:30 PM)

Masonic Hall (28 Lincoln Avenue, Rockville Centre, NY 11570)

Sponsored in part by Long Island Scottish Rite Bodies of the Valley of Rockville Centre,

1st Nassau District, and 2nd Nassau District

Contact: Bro. Bob Cox, 1st Nassau District Blood Drive Chairman,

516-747-0447 or 631-667-7144, Email: robedcox@verizon.net

or Bro. Jack Cottrell, 2nd Nassau District Blood Drive Chairman,

516-249-0979, Email: jjcottrell@juno.com

- / - / - / - / - / - / -

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8, 2008 (3:00 - 8:30 PM)*

Masonic Hall (71 West 23rd Street - 2nd Floor, New York City)

Sponsored by the 10th Manhattan District

For Additional Information Contact: W.˙. Miguel Ballena

- / - / - / - / - / - / -

*Note: 2008 dates/times are subject to change, please check back or contact the sponsor.

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To Submit Blood Drive Events Email Blood Drive Event Submission

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Eligibility Information

Please note if you have never donated blood and/or have questions about your eligibility

you are strongly encouraged to contact the New York Blood Center at 1-800-688-0900

(Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM) or visit www.nybloodcenter.org in advance of the blood drive.

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Message from the Blood Drive Program Chairman

The Masonic Blood Program, as usual, is having a successful year. However, we
need you and your brethren, friends, and family to continue to recognize that
the "Gift of Life" can only be provided by caring and concerned individuals who donate on a regular basis. The maintenance of an adequate and safe community blood supply is part of our responsibility. Let's help meet it.

FACTS

1. Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 lbs. and have not donated blood within the last 56 days. Persons 76 and older can donate, but require written clearance from their physician. Donors between 17 and 18 years of age require written parental consent.

2. Picture/signature ID or your NYBC Donor Card and your social security number are required. Please be sure to have balanced meals before giving blood.

3. Most medications do not preclude a person from giving blood; only a small handful of the thousands of medications out there will prevent a person from donating. The most common drug that precludes donating is antibiotics (as persons with active infections cannot donate).

4. Most people with diabetes, high blood pressure, certain heart conditions, and high cholesterol can still give blood, as long as their condition is under control. The most common exclusion is for tattoos that were administered within 12 months of the date of donating.

Blood Drives are an excellent community service project for the following reasons:

Excellent Public Relations Project

Great Exposure For The Sponsoring Lodge

Relatively Easy To Organize

Requires Minimal Manpower

Minimal To No Expense

Donating And Collecting Blood Saves Lives

The first and possibly most important step to organizing a successful blood drive is to choose a date and venue for the drive. The blood bank has to pay for supplies, one bus driver, plus five phlebotomists. Thus, they are hoping to get at least thirty donors for the event to be financially feasible for them. For this reason it is strongly recommend selecting a date and venue that is well attended by the public at large. Examples: village or street fairs, country fairs, sporting events, etc. The following is a fine example of an approach your Lodge or District might want to take to produce a successful Blood Drive. Modifications that will suit your particular situation should be made.

On October 1, 2006, Wallkill Lodge, in conjunction with the Town of Montgomery Lions Club Car show at the Valley Central High School, held a successful Blood Drive. Once the date and venue was selected, Wallkill contacted Hudson Valley Blood Services, a division of the New York Blood Center. They were helpful in confirming the date and locations and scheduled a meeting to plan the event. They provided posters, pamphlets and consent forms for minors over the age of sixteen to donate. Upon request, and given enough time, they will also print postage-paid postcards to solicit potential donors.

Most blood drives last about five to six hours and require two volunteers. One person hands out registration forms and one passes out refreshments. With the date and venue set, you can start soliciting and scheduling donors in advance; appointments can be made. Solicit Lodge Brothers, friends and family members, but before you solicit, it is important that you familiarize yourself with some facts so that you can educate potential donors. The blood bank will provide you with educational materials. There are many misconceptions about donating blood. Many people feel that due to certain medical conditions they are precluded from donating. This is frequently not the case.

One or two weeks before the event, utilize the media to promote the drive: cable TV, bulletin boards, community sections of local papers. Send press releases to local radio stations and use free posters provided by the blood bank. You do not need to use any paid advertisements to have a successful drive, although it can be considered.

The night before the blood drive:

1. Call all registered donors to remind them of their appointments.

2. Call to remind all scheduled workers.

3. Have a folding table and four to six folding chairs.

4. Have ready some signage or banners that identify you as sponsors.

5. Have ready literature, pamphlets, etc. promoting Freemasonry.

Having a blood drive is a great community service project. With a minimal effort it can be easily implemented. If you are interested in hosting a Blood Drive or need more information, please contact any member of the Committee or your District's Liaison.

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