Melrose Holds 13th Annual Memorial Blood Drive

From the City of Melrose:

Saturday, April 16, honor all those in our community who have lost loved ones by giving blood, the gift of life.

The 13th annual memorial blood drive, "Give Life, Remember Love," will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Melrose Veterans Memorial Middle School on the Lynn Fells Parkway.

The event is sponsored by the middle school PTO, the Red Cross and Boston Children’s Hospital. Donors over the age of 17 are encouraged to make an appointment (parental consent is required for 16-year-old donors). Individuals seeking further information must contact Debra at (781) 258-4880 or visit the Children's Hospital website. Information about the Red Cross is available online and via 1-800-RED-CROSS.Walk-ins are also welcome. Positive identification is required to make a donation.

There is a significant need for blood and platelet donations, as supplies of all blood types are at critically low levels. Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion. Every donation makes a difference; one pint of blood can save up to three lives. Eighty-two units were collected at this successful drive in 2015. We have set an ambitious target of collecting 100 units for 2016.