Organizers of the Gift-of-Life Marathon announced the goal for the 2011 event today: to break the national record for a one-day community blood drive of 1,968 pints.
‘It will take a tremendous response from the people of Rutland County, but we are issuing the challenge: Let’s top the nation in blood donation,’ said CVPS spokesman Steve Costello, one of the organizers. ‘The need is huge right now, but the spirit of our local communities has never shined brighter than in the wake of Hurricane Irene.’
Added Terry Jaye from WJJR, which co-sponsors the marathon with CVPS: ‘People told us we could never break the New England record, but we’ve done it three times. Now some say the greater Rutland County community can’t break the national record. It will be hard, and we’ll need people from all walks of life to pull together as they did after the storm, but we’ll never know until we try. We think it is possible.’
Organizers, working with the American Red Cross, are making elaborate plans to give the region a shot at the record, including:
Expanding to four sites, including the Paramount Theatre, the American Legion, the Elks Club and the College of St. Joseph’s gym;
Vastly expanding the available appointment slots to 2,160, up from about 700 last year;
Starting a half-hour earlier than last year, running from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Planning to bring in more than 200 Red Cross workers, including dozens from other states, up from 112 in 2011;
Developing a web of local recruitment ‘captains,’ each targeting potential donors from specific geographic areas, high schools and colleges, and demographic groups; and
Including five Catamount Radio stations ‘ WJJR, WSYB, WDVT, WJEN and WZRT ‘which will broadcast live from each of the four blood donation sites.
‘These steps are designed to significantly increase the number of donors, while slashing backlogs and waiting times,’ Costello said. ‘Through these actions, we think we can bring in a lot more people, maintain the unique ‘community block party’ feel of the event, and get people in and out in a reasonable time. The appointments, in particular, should provide a vast improvement.’
First-time donors will be critical to meeting the goal. In past years, around 175 to 200 first-time donors have turned out. Organizers are hoping for 300 to 400 first-time donors this year, and Vermont Electric Power company (VELCO) will provide a free DVD of ‘The Blood in This Town,’ the GOLM-inspired documentary, to first-timers while supplies last.
While supplies last, donors will also receive gift bags stuffed with items from dozens of local businesses and organizations, including: Downtown Rutland businesses, Efficiency Vermont, Green Mountain Rock Climbing, IBF Solutions, Long Trail Brewing Company, Mountain Times, Mountain Top Inn & Resort, Omya, Paramount Theatre, PEG-TV Rutland, Project Family ‘ Department of Children and Families, Rutland Herald, Rutland Historical Society, Rutland Magazine, Rutland Recreation Department, Rutland Region Chamber of Commerce, Rutland Regional Medical Center, The Bus, Vermont Electric Power Company, Vermont Country Store, and Westminster Cracker Company. Additional support has been provided by Green Screen Graphics.
‘The community support for this drive has been tremendous,’ said Mike Kempesty, chief executive officer for the Red Cross in northern New England. ‘People across the Red Cross are amazed at what Rutland has done in the past, and they’ll be cheering the community on as it attempts to break the national record this year.’
The GOLM began by collecting 368 pints in 2003, and has grown steadily ever since. For three straight years, the GOLM has broken the New England record for a one-day community blood drive. Boston held the record of 772 pints until Rutland collected 856 in 2008 and 1,024 in 2009. In September 2010, Boston collected 1,177 pints to reclaim the New England record, but Rutland took it back in December, with 1,400 pints. Manchester, N.H., broke that record ‘ and the national record ‘ last month, with 1,968 pints.
The 2011 Gift-of-Life Marathon is set for Dec. 20. For regular updates on this year’s Gift-of-Life Marathon, visit ‘Gift OfLife’ on Facebook or visit www.giftoflifemarathon.com. For an appointment, call 800-RED-CROSS or visit the website.