Blood drive is Aug. 25

PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Officials at The Aroostook Medical Center are encouraging members of the public to donate blood at the TAMC Red Cross Blood Drive Tuesday, Aug. 25, at A.R. Gould Memorial Hospital in Presque Isle from 12-5 p.m.

     “Donating blood is easy – it only takes a little more than an hour, and TAMC and Red Cross personnel walk donors through the process, step by step,” said Sherry Beaulieu, a TAMC manager and coordinator of the blood drive.  “Every pint of donated blood has the potential to save three lives.”

     Blood donation is a quick and easy way to make a difference in the community and beyond.  According to statistics from the Red Cross, every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood, and more than 41,000 blood donations are necessary daily to meet that need.

     The goal for this blood drive is to reach 90 viable pints, according to Beaulieu.  As an extra incentive, all donors will be put into a drawing through the American Red Cross for a chance to win two Boston Red Sox home game tickets. Also, those coming from noon to 2 p.m. will be able to enjoy free pizza for lunch.  During the remainder of the day, other treats will be available.

     Walk-ins are welcome, but to save time, participants are encouraged to preregister by calling 1 (800) RED-CROSS or visiting www.redcrossblood.org.  On the day of the drive, donors should go to the McCain conference rooms at the hospital, located on the second floor of the East Wing in TAMC’s Conference Center.