Blood Drives Important Part of Masonic Lodge

Chances are you've seen the sign outside of the Madison Masonic Lodge at 170 Main St. It's a fixture, with the only thing that seems to change being the date.

But you may not realize just how often the blood drives the sign calls attention to occur, and just how important they are to Madison Lodge No. 93 Free and Accepted Masons.

"We do one every eight weeks," said Senior Deacon Greg LaConte, who is the blood drive chairman for the lodge.

LaConte said there is usually between six and seven drives each year, which is why the sign seems to be ever present–the lodge is either preparing for or conducting a drive pretty much all the time.

The lodge's next drive is right around the corner, and takes place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Each drive tends to bring in about 50 pints of blood, but the members of the lodge are always hoping for more.

"There is always a shortage of blood in New Jersey," LaConte said. "We are a state with a tendency to import from other states."

Which is one of the reasons the lodge has made the drives an integral part of what it does. LaConte said that in 2006 Madison resident and past Master Robby Giudice helped expand the drives. He said Giudice went away from having mostly Masons donate to opening the doors to the public.

"He opened the doors to make it a community event," LaConte said. "He really reinvigorated it."

LaConte said that has continued to today and the results can be seen. He said the lodge recently won, for the second straight time, the award for the most pints of blood donated in Northern New Jersey.

The requirements for someone who wants to donate is to be at least 17 years of age, 120 pound, be in good health, and to bring identification. LaConte said it is recommended for people to eat a light meal before donating.

People can sign up before hand, but are able to show up and register at the lodge. The questionnaire and sign in process take only a little over 10 minutes to complete.

The lodge runs the drives in conjunction with the Blood Center of New Jersey, which provides the materials and phlebotomists to collect the blood. They also disperse what is collected at the drives throughout North Jersey. LaConte said it is nice to know the blood is going to help the surrounding area.

Other than LaConte, Senior Warden Dave Berger and brothers Richard Wantz and Brandon Battersby are the driving force behind the drives. 

Those who wish to donate on Saturday are encouraged to head over to the lodge and register at the table at the front of the building. There is parking at the lodge and overflow parking at Madison Junior School. LaConte said every pint donated has the potential to help three different people.

"Just come out and donate, and bring a friend," LaConte said.

Anyone wishing to sign up for the blood drive e-mail list can send a message to madison.lodge.blood.drive@gmail.com