Dec. 20-22—RUTLAND—A time-honored tradition in Rutland County, the annual Gift-of-Life marathon blood drive returns for three days of collections. This year’s marathon will be held on three consecutive days in December: Wednesday, Dec. 20 at the Castleton University Campus Center, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thursday, Dec. 21 at the Holiday Inn, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; and Friday, Dec. 22 at the Holiday Inn, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
Planners of the blood drive are appealing to the competitive nature of the Greater Rutland area with the addition of a “Community Challenge” that will help keep the blood supply strong as well as reward the winning team with bragging rights and a uniquely Vermont prize. The winning team will be recognized with their name engraved on a Gift-of-Life Marathon Community Challenge trophy. Their team will also be treated to a maple creemee party, for up to 100 employees, courtesy of the Vermont Truffle Company.
“Vermonters love a good maple creemee,” said Terry Jaye, operations manager for Catamount Radio and co-sponsor of the Gift-of-Life Marathon. “I sense a tough competition coming on, but all for a good cause.”
“Rutland’s business and civic leaders are always supportive of a good cause,” commented Steve Costello, vice president of customer care for Green Mountain Power. “In 2013, the Gift-of-Life Marathon set a national one-day record for blood donations when we collected 2,350 pints of lifesaving blood. I believe our local businesses and civic groups love a challenge, so may the best team win!”
To compete in the Community Challenge teams must be registered prior to the event. For questions, or to enroll your team please call Julia Maille at 802-497-6780 or email julia.maille@redcross.org.
All presenting donors at this year’s blood drive will receive a very special gift bag filled with items donated by Vermont Country Store, Greenscreen Graphics, Visiting Nurses and Hospice of the Southwest Region, Heritage Family Credit Union, Rutland Regional Medical Center, Thrive Center of the Green Mountains and the College of St. Joseph.
Photo courtesy of Green Mountain Power
Blood donors are scattered around as they supply the bank of the American Red Cross with the ultimate gift — life.
