Give Pints For Half Pints

June 18, 2011 - PRLog -- Give Pints For Half Pints


(Boston, MA)  Reigning beauty queen Ms. Black Massachusetts, Claire Johnson will roll up her sleeves to donate very much needed blood for sickle cell pediatric patients on Saturday, June 25, 2011 when the Greater Boston Sickle Cell Disease Association hosts it “Give Pints for Half Pints” blood drive.

“Every pint of blood donated can be life supporting for up to four young patients” says Maureen Zuzevich who has responsibility for donor recruitment at Children’s, and “each person making a donation will receive a special gift from Children’s Hospital”.  Maureen reminds potential donors that they need to present some valid form of identification.  The blood drive is at the Sickle Cell office 1542 Tremont Street from 9am-3pm.  Pre-registration is encouraged by calling GBSCDA at (617) 427-4100 or emailing cedric.king@gbscda.org.  Donors can also call Children’s Blood Donor Center at (617) 355-6677.

GBSCDA partners with dozens of area hospitals and local Community Health Centers.  On this occasion, Boston Children’s Hospital’ Bloodmobile will be front and center to ensure the success of this drive.  “Blood transfusions and bone marrow transplants have proven effective in treating patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)” says  Cedric King, GBSCDA’s Executive Vice President for Outreach and Education, “this will be an opportunity for the general public to make a vital contribution to the health of our most vulnerable population, so all are welcome”.

GBSCDA is a growing and dynamic organization at the forefront of sickle cell disease awareness in Northern New England. It provides support services and programs hundreds, including 24 hour on call beeper service for emergencies; support group meetings; patient advocacy; Chaplaincy Visits; Transportation Voucher Program; A Music Therapy Program; Tutoring; Scholarships; and a Juice/beverage Voucher Program to assist patients with issues of dehydration.  
Founded in 1995 by Ronald Stephenson, who was moved to address the lack of SCD awareness, GBSCDA provides advocacy and support services for patients in Massachusetts with SCD.  The programs that GBSCDA provides to its members, free of charge, and play a key role in the sickle cell survivors’ emotional, psychological and physical healing.    

Dr. Patricia “Trish” Kavanagh, Chair of the GBSCDA Executive Board says, “This is a unique part of GBSCDA’s collaborative effort.  With the community working together, we can break the sickle cycle of pain and despair that usually attends the many crises suffered by our members.”

Future events include the GBSCDA’s First Annual Golf Outing – an exciting day of golfing and fine dining – to be held Thursday, July 21, 2011, from 8am to 4pm at the River Bend Golf Club, West Bridgewater, MA.

Donations toward this cause are most welcomed. The Greater Boston Sickle Cell Disease Association is a 501(c) 3, as such; all contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the relevant IRS laws and regulations.