Registration for gift-of-life blood drive now open

Registration for gift-of-life blood drive now open

Appointments are now available for the third annual Pete Giancola Gift-of-Life Mini Marathon Blood Drive, which will be held July 11 at Noel’s at the Franklin Events Center and the Rutland Elks Lodge.

 Vermont’s second-largest blood drive, after the winter Gift-of-Life Marathon, is intended to help replenish supplies of critically needed blood during the traditionally difficult summer collection season. The drive is named for former Rutland resident Pete Giancola, a local business leader and philanthropist who received numerous blood donations over a 10-year battle with cancer. Giancola died in 2020, and the annual drive was named in his honor that year.

 The drive will be held July 11 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at both sites. Appointments are strongly encouraged and may be made by calling 800-RED-CROSS or visiting redcrossblood.org. Enter sponsor code MINIGIFT. Noel’s at the Franklin Events Center is at 1 Scale Avenue in Rutland. The Elks Lodge is at 44 Pleasant Street. 

The drive is sponsored by Green Mountain Power. This year’s theme is helping build community, which Giancola did through his work in Rutland. 

“Blood donors gave Pete a tremendous gift,” said Terry Jaye, who played music with Giancola and is a longtime blood drive supporter. “We hope to draw Pete’s friends and family members in to continue his legacy by donating blood in his name.”

 Grace Giancola, one of Pete’s four children, said blood donors gave the family an incredible gift during his cancer treatments. “We had an entire decade with my dad thanks to donors who selflessly gave of themselves,” Grace said. “It was an incredible gift, one we hope to help other families receive, as every donation can help extend or improve someone’s life.”

 Summertime, when high schools and colleges are closed, is among the most difficult times of the year to collect blood. Steve Costello, one of the organizers, said the drive raises awareness of summer shortages and helps fill local and regional needs each year. The goal is to collect 267 pints.

 “The need for blood is never-ending, but summer donors are particularly important,” Costello said.  

Donors will receive a GMP pen and a Red Cross dry bag, which can keep items dry at the beach, while boating or kayaking, or in unexpected summer rains.