Blood Drive Nets in Record

Details: Created on Friday, 07 February 2014 23:07; Written by Michael Fisher

RUTLAND - red cross logo Joe Costello had help in organizing the blood drive that broke the national record. 2,337 pints of blood were collected at the five different locations that had 300 Red Cross workers and about 300 volunteers at the event on December 17 of 2013.

The event started at 10 a.m. and didn’t end until nine at night even though the drive ended at six o'clock. "Even though the drive ends at six it means that if you showed up before six or at six you could still donate blood, and there were about a hundred people at each place before the closing." Costello commented.

This is the last time that Rutland will host a big drive like this because of work needed. "It’s not fair to the other red cross workers in other states to come and help for about three days when they can be collecting blood in their state." Costello also said.

In 2012 Costello and Red Cross set a goal for next year to break the record. That was after their big drive only turned out to be just 13 pints short of the record. After a year of planning they did break the record and feel very accomplished because they knew that it would be their last try.

Next year Rutland plans on just having a normal drive and not advertise as much as they did this past year. But still will help continue to save lives.