Gift-of-Life Marathon nets 1,855 pints, misses national record

Vermonters of all walks of life turned out for the ninth-annual Gift-of-Life Marathon on Dec. 20, 2011, donating 1,855 pints of blood but missing the national one-day community blood drive record of 1,968 pints.

"It was an extraordinary day and an amazing display of community spirit and determination," said Central Vermont Public Service spokesman Steve Costello, one of the organizers.  "The national record didn't fall, but this was the largest per-capita blood drive in U.S. history, the second-largest ever, and the region should be proud of what it accomplished."

Organizers from CVPS, WJJR and the American Red Cross set their sights on the record within days of it being set, and amped up recruiting to high school and colleges students and residents of the towns surrounding Rutland.  On Tuesday, students and senior citizens, blue and white collar workers and local residents and visitors alike poured into the Paramount Theatre, American Legion Post 31, and the College of St. Joseph gymnasium throughout the day Tuesday for a run at the national mark set this fall in Manchester, N.H.

Hundreds of Red Cross employees and volunteers from across Rutland County ushered them through the process, fed them a hearty meal, and sent them on their way with gift bags stuffed with dozens of items from local businesses and non-profits.

"I am so proud of the greater Rutland community," said Terry Jaye, program manager at WJJR and Catamount Radio.  "We collected around 1,800 pints in a city of about 16,000 people, which says so much about the determination and kinship of the people in this region."

Jaye's radio partner, Nanci Gordon, said the event demonstrated strength of character few communities could match.  "From the businesses that donated 2,500 gift bags items each to the dozens that gave employees time off to donate, provided in-kind donations or helped promote the drive, it took a collaboration of literally hundreds of people to make this happen,"  Gordon said.  "The camaraderie and spirit of cooperation demonstrated today is even more important than the goal of breaking the record."

The Gift-of-Life Marathon began in 2003, when the Red Cross asked CVPS to host a third annual employee blood drive due to shrinking supplies.  CVPS countered with the idea of a mega-drive, and partnered with Jaye, Gordon and WJJR to promote it.  The first drive collected 368 pints; the last three broke the New England record, beating Boston each time.  This year, all five Catamount Radio stations broadcast live from the drive.

"We never dreamed the drive would become such a rallying post for the community," Costello said.  "It has become an annual symbol of the good in Rutland and Rutland County, and one of the most collaborative efforts anywhere.

News release
For Immediate Release: Dec. 20, 2011
Contact: Steve Costello (802) 747-5427

Nearly 2,000 sign up for Gift-of-Life Marathon
– but walk-ins encouraged

For Immediate release: Dec. 14, 2011

Appointments for the upcoming Gift-of-Life Marathon Blood Drive were filled today, with nearly 2,000 people signed up to help Rutland County take a run at the national one-day blood collection record.

“While we are no longer taking appointments, we encourage walk-ins to turn out next Tuesday,” said CVPS spokesman and co-organizer Steve Costello.  “We are thrilled with the appointments, which have come from across the county and region, but we still need people who couldn’t make an appointment to join us in the run for the national record.  Given deferrals and last-minute cancellations, walk-ins will be critical to the effort.”

The national record is 1,968 pints, set this fall in Manchester, N.H. , which also broke Rutland’s New England record of 1,400 pints in a day, set at last year’s Gift-of-Life Marathon.

The Dec. 20 blood drive, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., will be held at the Paramount Theatre, American Legion Post 31, and the College of St. Joseph gymnasium.  The event is sponsored by CVPS and WJJR in cooperation with the American Red Cross.

Organizers remind donors that they must have a photo driver’s license, passport or Red Cross blood card, or two forms of ID.  Walk-ins will be welcome at all three sites, but the Paramount Theatre should be able to accommodate more walk-ins than the other sites.

Parking will be free from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. in the state garage on West Street.

The Gift-of-Life Marathon has broken the New England one-day blood drive record three straight years. After Manchester, N.H, broke that and the national record, organizers expanded staffing and added a third location for this year’s drive, the College of St. Joseph, to give the greater-Rutland community a shot at the national record.

“In some ways it is hard to believe we’re even having this conversation, but the region has surprised us every year with the response to our challenges, and we’re hopeful the community can do it again,” said WJJR’s Terry Jaye.

Costello also highlighted the importance of the drive, beyond setting records.  “The blood supply always drops perilously toward the end of the year, but the need never ends,” he said.  “The drive was born from the desire to ensure an adequate blood supply for accident victims, cancer patients and others who need blood around the holiday period.”

News release
For Immediate Release: Dec. 14, 2011
Contact: Steve Costello (802) 747-5427 or pager (802) 742-3062

Rutland County primed for run at national blood drive record

For Immediate release: Dec. 12, 2011

RUTLAND, VT - Organizers of the ninth annual Gift-of-Life Marathon Blood Drive are voicing cautious optimism as they prepare for a run at the national one-day blood drive record Dec. 20 in Rutland.

"We have more than 1,800 appointments so far, but we still have a long way to go to actually break the record," said Central Vermont Public Service spokesman Steve Costello, one of the organizers.  "The record is 1,968 pints, and to do that we'll need about 2,200 or 2,300 people to show up."

The event, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., will be held at the Paramount Theatre, American Legion Post 31, and the College of St. Joseph gymnasium.  Appointments can be made by calling 800-RED-CROSS or at http://www.giftoflifemarathon.com/.  The event is sponsored by CVPS and WJJR.

WJJR's Terry Jaye said he thinks Rutland County can break the record.  "The spirit we saw after Hurricane Irene gives me confidence that we can do this," he said.  "This area is full of good people who rise to the occasion time and time again."

Donating blood is virtually painless.  The process includes a short medical history, and a mini-physical, including blood pressure, pulse, temperature and an iron check.  The donation itself typically lasts five to 8 minutes.  Organizers offered the following tips to help ensure a smooth, efficient process:

• All donors must have a photo driver's license, passport or Red Cross blood card, or two forms of ID.
• While we urge anyone who can make an appointment to do so, walk-ins will be welcome at all three sites.
• If you plan to walk-in, please consider a less-popular time, as the start and finish are typically crowded.
• Appointments are critically important to keeping a smooth flow - BUT if you have an appointment and can't make it, please cancel so someone else can use it.
• Parking will be free from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. in the state garage on West Street.
• First-time donors (and others) should be sure to drink lots of fluids the day before and the day of the drive, and eat a good breakfast (and lunch, depending on the donation time).
• Donors should wear a loose-fitting shirt with sleeves that can be easily rolled up.
• If you are not sure if you are eligible, visit http://www.redcrossblood.org/donating-blood/eligibility-requirements.

The Gift-of-Life Marathon has broken the New England one-day blood drive record three straight years, but lost the record to Manchester, N.H, this fall, when Manchester also set the national record.

_____________________________________________

News: Gift-of-Life Marathon sets goal -
Top the nation in blood donation

For Immediate release: Oct. 18, 2011

RUTLAND, VT - 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 three sites, including the Paramount Theatre, the American Legion 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.