July 3, 2009:
Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - The Holiday Heroes blood drive is officially underway!
The American Red Cross is hoping to collect more than 300 units of blood over the weekend, so it can fill up its dwindling supply.
We spoke with one man who's helping the American Red Cross achieve its goal.
This is the first time John Buckland has given blood. He's not too nervous, because he knows it will go to a good place.
“I know there are various situations when people will need blood, whether it's in the ER, urgent care, situations like that. It just seemed like a good idea -- anyway I can help out,” says Buckland.
To reinforce that thought, his donor specialist, Michael Hunter, helped walk him through it.
Buckland’s donation will stay here in central New York, with everyone else's.
“We love being with the donors. We love that our mission is saving lives and it's a positive experience,” says Jean Crouthamel of the American Red Cross.
The process is quite simple, and only takes about 12 minutes to complete. Ultimately, each donation will help save three people's lives.
“We're going to separate the blood into three parts: Red blood cells, plasma and platelets. That's why we have a sign that says you can save up to three lives,” Hunter says.
The American Red Cross usually needs a good number of people to donate blood during the summer months, mostly because college students aren't in town and there's a heavy amount of traffic on the road.
“Of course, more people out on the road means more accidents and more people who need blood. So this is a very important blood drive this holiday weekend,” says Crouthamel.
More than anything, the Red Cross is looking for double red cell donors, which means they would give double donations.
“It separates into two blood cells, red blood and plasma. We keep the red blood cells and give you back your plasma through the bag,” Hunter says.
Then again, the American Red Cross says it will take whatever it can get. It's hoping more people will come out this weekend to give blood. The overall goal is to collect 360 units by Sunday. Right now, the Red Cross only has a day and half supply; it needs a five-day supply.
The blood drive continues through the weekend at the Carousel Center. It's situated across from H&M and runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can make a reservation by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE, or through their website at http://www.donatebloodnow.org.
July 1, 2009:
Be a Holiday Hero this weekend and donate blood
Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - There's no question that the greatest gift you can give is the gift of life, and doing so is easy.
Yet another year of the Holiday Heroes blood drive is right around the corner, and there’s one young woman who truly understands what an effort like this is all about.
Meaghan Goodnough graduated from Le Moyne College this spring with a concentration in human services. Since she was a little girl, giving back to the community has been second nature in her family.
“We've always been volunteers in different agencies and organizations, but the Red Cross has always been really close to our hearts,” Goodnough says.
When she's not donating blood herself, Goodnough volunteers to help recruit new donors. Her family's sponsored a blood drive for 14 years in honor of her late grandfather, who needed blood during cancer surgeries.
“When you know somebody who you care about who is really sick and needs blood, you develop a whole new appreciation for people who take the time out of their busy lives to donate,” she says.
The Red Cross runs about ten blood drives a day, and when colleges and high schools are out of session, as they are now, they run more of these community drives to keep up with the demand.
“I feel really good, like I did something today that maybe made a difference for somebody else,” Goodnough says.
She gave blood for the first time on her 18th birthday, and she's given regularly since, except for a short spell when she wasn't eligible, after giving part of her liver to her mom.
She believes with all her heart that the generosity of other blood donors is one of the main reasons her mom's still around.
“We went on a cruise as a family, we've gone to concerts. She was there for my graduation. I mean, those things are invaluable to me,” Goodnough says. “I want people to know that even though they look at it as a little thing, it's a huge thing.”
NewsChannel 9 is proud to sponsor the Holiday Heroes blood drive, which runs Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Lord and Taylor wing of Carousel Center.
The blood drive runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. each day. Walk-ins are welcome, or you can make a reservation by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE, or through their website at http://www.donatebloodnow.org.
