Dec. 1-15 — RUTLAND COUNTY — Organizers of the Gift-of-Life Marathon are appealing to local residents who have never donated blood to give it a try at the 2015 Gift-of-Life Marathon – 12 Days of Giving.
“First-time donors are critical to the blood supply and our hopes for the 2015 Gift-of-Life Marathon,” said Steve Costello, a GMP vice president and organizer. “Donating is simple, virtually painless, and leaves most donors with a feeling of goodwill and accomplishment – there’s nothing like it.”
Catamount Radio program manager Terry Jaye became a regular donor thanks to the Gift-of-Life Marathon, and said donating blood provides tremendous gratification. “It’s one of the most important things I do in my life,” Jaye said. “Helping save a life – it doesn’t get more meaningful than that.”
The GOLM – 12 Days of Giving will be held:
- Dec. 1 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the home of Castleton University President Dave Wolk;
- Dec. 2 from noon to 6 p.m. at U.S. Army Reserve on Post Road in Rutland Town;
- Dec. 4 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rutland High School;
- Dec. 5 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Rutland American Legion;
- Dec. 7 from 12-6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in Rutland;
- Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Burr & Burton Academy in Manchester;
- Dec. 9 from 12-6 p.m. at the West Rutland Town Hall;
- Dec. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Diamond Run Mall;
- Dec. 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Rutland Elks Club;
- Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Alliance Community Fellowship in Howe Center;
- Dec. 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fair Haven Union High School;
- Dec. 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the College of St. Joseph gymnasium.
President Wolk will personally provide free rides to anyone who needs one the day of the Castleton drive, which can be arranged by calling 468-1203.
“We want to get the drive off to a great start on Dec. 1, and we especially want to encourage people who have never donated to sign up this year,” Wolk said. “Inertia is our greatest challenge. Once people realize how easy it is to donate, they typically become regular donors.”
Donors as young as 16 are eligible; 16-year-olds need parental permission. All donors must present photo ID or a Red Cross donor card.
Appointments, which are strongly encouraged, may be made by calling 800-RED-CROSS or visiting www.giftoflifemarathon.com. While supplies last, donors will receive gifts from Casella Waste Management, Castleton University, Efficiency Vermont, Green Mountain Power, Heritage Family Credit Union, Killington Resort, Phoenix Books, Rutland Regional Medical Center, and Thrive Center of the Green Mountains.
For the first time, GOLM donors can do most of their health history before arriving at the drive, using the Red Cross’ new RapidPass. RapidPass offers donors a way to complete their pre-reading and donation questions online from the comfort and privacy of their homes or offices, reducing the time they spend at blood drives by as much as 15 minutes. It must be done the day of the donation.
For more information, visit www.redcrossblood.org/Rapid/Pass
