| For Immediate Release | Contact: Patricia Giramma |
| May 11, 2007 | 508-961-5272 |
| girammap@southcoast.org | |
 Get this release in Word format |
|
FAIRHAVEN, Mass. — The Southcoast Blood Bank at St. Luke's Hospital and Dorothy Cox Chocolates are teaming up this summer on a sweet incentive. Anyone who donates blood at a Southcoast sponsored blood drive during the month of July will receive a free half-pound of Dorothy Cox chocolate covered cranberries.
"Blood donations tend to drop off during the summer months, we hope that this sweet gift by Dorothy Cox will remind everyone that we need to keep our local blood supply strong all year long," said Maureen Brown, Laboratory Site Manager for St. Luke's and Tobey Hospitals.
"The Cox family has hosted blood drives for many years, but wanted to do something more that would have an even greater impact," said Dorothy Cox, owner of Dorothy Cox Chocolates in Fairhaven. "When you give at a Southcoast sponsored blood drive, the blood stays local and is used right here at your local hospital. That's why supporting the Southcoast Blood Bank is a great way for all of us to help our neighbors and give back to the community."
Anyone who donates blood at the Southcoast Blood Bank at St. Luke's Hospital, or at any of the community blood drives hosted by the Southcoast Blood Bank, will receive a certificate for a free half-pound of Dorothy Cox chocolate covered cranberries. You choose — milk, dark or yogurt covered. The certificate is redeemable at Dorothy Cox Chocolates, 115 Huttleston Ave. in Fairhaven.
Where to donate
- The Southcoast Blood Bank: The Southcoast Blood Bank is located at St. Luke's Hospital, 101 Page Street, New Bedford, off the main lobby. Walk-ins are welcome Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Wednesdays 7 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 to 2:30 p.m. For more information or to make an appointment call 508-961-5320 (www.southcoast.org/bloodbank/).
- Community Blood Drives: Southcoast hosts blood drives throughout the region on the Southcoast Health Van and at local businesses. The schedule can be found online at www.southcoast.org/van/ or by calling 508-961-5320.
In addition to emergency cases, blood is needed for people undergoing surgery, and patients receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer, or other diseases, such as sickle cell anemia and hemophilia.
Local Businesses Needed to Host Blood Drives
The Southcoast Blood Bank is also looking for local businesses to host blood drives. Call Sandra Pires, Blood Donor Coordinator at 508-961-5319 for more information or to schedule a drive.
"When someone donates a unit of blood, we thank them for helping to save a life or improving the quality of someone's life. Whether it is a traumatic accident, oncology patient or a baby in need of blood exchange, your blood donation helps save a life," Brown said. "Every pint is critical to the health of our community.
What to expect when you donate
When prospective donors come to the Blood Bank, staff discuss their medical history and make sure they are able to donate. Potential donors also fill out a confidential questionnaire on their medical backgrounds. These measures safeguard the health of the donor as well as the health of the person receiving blood. The whole process of the interview and the actual donating usually takes 20 to 25 minutes. The donor's body replaces the fluid lost from donation in 24 hours and the red blood cells in about eight weeks.
Who's eligible to donate?
Blood donors should be in good health (no colds or flu), at least 18 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds, have not taken drugs or alcohol recently, are over 70 and have your physician's permission. Donors who have traveled in Africa or have a tattoo should call first. Donors who have spent more than three months cumulative in the United Kingdom since 1980 also should call first. For more information on how to be a donor, call 508-961-5320.
About Southcoast
Southcoast Health System, a not-for-profit charitable organization, is a community based health delivery system with multiple access points, offering an integrated continuum of advanced health services throughout Southeastern Massachusetts and East Bay, Rhode Island. It includes Southcoast Hospitals Group, formed in 1996 from the merger of Charlton Memorial Hospital in Fall River, St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford and Tobey Hospital in Wareham.
Southcoast has more than 40 ancillary facilities, including the Southcoast Health Van, home health care, hospice and infusion services, numerous outpatient medical services, an assisted living facility and a wellness center. For more information visit www.southcoast.org.
Southcoast is one of three community hospitals approved by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health to perform open heart surgery and primary angioplasty beginning in Spring 2002.
Media Contact
Patricia Giramma
Phone: 508-961-5272
Pager: 978-859-6077
Fax: 508-961-5876
girammap@southcoast.org
