RUMFORD — Residents of the River Valley donated more than 105 units of blood at Wednesday’s American Red Cross Blood Drive at the American Legion Hall.
“We came into this blood drive with a goal of getting 103 units,” Angela Abourjaily of the American Red Cross of Portland said. “Rumford historically is one of those places where we surpass our goals.”
“The need for blood is constant,” Abourjaily said. “We try to get 300 units in the state everyday. There is a critical need for all types of blood. There is a critical need for O negative blood (the universal donor).”
Wednesday’s drive was one of six co-sponsored by Rumford Hospital and the local Rotary Club. As an incentive to lure more donations, each blood donor Wednesday received a coupon for a case of bottled spring water and a day pass to any Maine state park.
“One can donate blood every 56 days,” Jane Bubar of Rumford Community Hospital said, “or at maximum six times a year.”
Some donors on Wednesday have cumulatively given more than 30 gallons over the years, Rumford Hospital medical aides said.
“The blood collected at Wednesday’s drive will go from here to the American Red Cross Blood Processing Center in Dedham, Mass.,” said Amanda Conant of Canton, a volunteer at the drive. ‘The blood in Dedham will be thoroughly tested before being sent to hospitals and health care facilities in the New England region that have the greatest need for blood,” she said.
Eric Hawthorne, 41, of Turner, said, “I give blood because I wish to help people in need, and I give it every chance I get.”
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