HOLYOKE, Mass. – The Dowd Insurance Agencies, a leading insurance provider serving New England for over 115 years, today announced they will host a series of Baystate Blood Donor Program blood drives at their Holyoke facility located at 14 Bobala Road. The first mobile blood drive will be held Tuesday, Aug. 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in The Dowd Insurance Agencies parking lot.
With over a century of insurance experience, The Dowd Insurance Agencies has a longstanding history of protecting the quality of life for everyone in western Massachusetts. Hosting the Baystate Health blood mobile is another way The Dowd Insurance Agencies safeguards residents of the Pioneer Valley.
Each year at Baystate Health, over 5,800 patients receive more than 23,000 transfusions of blood products, which means local blood donations are critical. At the Baystate Blood Donor Program, 100 percent of all blood and platelet donations made are used in western Massachusetts.
The Dowd Insurance Agencies will host the blood mobile:
Tuesday, Aug. 11 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Blood donation is easy and convenient. Roughly 1 pint of blood is collected during each donation, which can save up to three lives. To be eligible, blood donors must be at least 17 years old, in good health, weigh at least 110 pounds, and have a photo identification. Donors are able to give blood every eight weeks.
According to the American Red Cross, every two seconds someone in the U.S. is in need of blood. The blood type most often requested is Type O because it can be transfused to patients of all blood types. While an estimated 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate, less than 10 percent actually do.
To schedule a time to donate, call Diane Cygan at 413-437-1013 or email [email protected].
Read coverage on Masslive.com, HealthCareNews.com