• Midcoast Tree Festival
• Explore The Region
  • Day Trips
  • Dining Lodging
  • Fall & Winter Activities
  • Family & Kids
  • Festivals & Specials
  • History, Arts & Culture
  • Shopping
  • Spring & Summer Activities
  • Water Activities
  • Weddings & Events
• Chamber Works 2030
• Calendar
• Our Businesses
  • Directory
  • Networking Affiliations
  • Business Resources & Links
  • Member Videos
• Our Communities
  • Doing Business Here
  • Educational Institutions
  • Get Our Guide
  • Our Towns
    • Arrowsic
    • Bath
    • Bowdoin
    • Bowdoinham
    • Brunswick
    • Dresden
    • Edgecomb
    • Georgetown
    • Harpswell
    • Phippsburg
    • Richmond
    • Topsham
    • West Bath
    • Westport Island
    • Wiscasset
    • Woolwich
  • Relocate Here
  • Retire Here
• Chamber Info
  • Member Info Updates
  • Members: "Eat" Amenities List
  • Members: "Stay" Amenities List
  • Board
  • Staff
  • Committees
  • Events
    • Annual Meeting
    • Awards Nomination Form
    • B2B Networking Expo
    • Chamber After Hours
    • 12 @ 12
    • Hacker's Ball
  • Membership Application
  • Online Invoice Payments
  • Women's Networking Group
  • Midcoast Edge

The "We Want Your Blood" Blood Drive Results Are In... Thank you to those who participated!

The theme was "We Want Your Blood" and they certainly did get it. The Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Committee and Bill Dodge Hyundai partnered together for a second year in a row to host and organize a successful blood drive with the American Red Cross of Maine.

Last year they were able to collect 34 useable units of blood utilizing the mobile unit. This year Mike Mayo, GM at Bill Dodge Hyundai partnered with Amanda Leland of Long Cove Builders and Barbara Rapoza of Servpro, both members of the ambassador committee to open up their show room in effort to increase the useable units from 34 to 44. Also, Amanda Leland crunched the numbers and found there was an increase by 3% in the percentage of usable unit, which means the donors did their homework and came hydrated, and with a good iron count. With having more space this year the Red Cross was able to set up two of their double red machines which allows collection of two units of red blood cells during one donation period all the while returning the donors own plasma and platelets back to their body. You end up leaving even more hydrated as it also adds saline back into your body through the same arm. You do need to meet certain criteria to take advantage of the double red. For more information reach out to your local red cross or go to redcrossblood.org.

Barbara Rapoza said "by being inside we were able to create a warm and inviting atmosphere and make it more comfortable for donors and American Red Cross Staff. The American Red Cross team made everything from set up, donor process and experience to breakdown as simple as possible."

Volunteers that  participated in the event were from the chambers ambassador committee and included the following individuals: Bob Bremm of AdviCoach, Libby Farmer of PriAmerica, Bridget Dubois and Anne Olivio both with Usanna, Michelle Curtis of BarHarbor Bank & Trust and Stacy Welner of Northeast Security.

Without all of the volunteers, donors, Bill Dodge Hyundai and their staff, the blood drive would not have been a success. On behalf of the Southern Midcoast Maine Chamber, both Amanda Leland and Barbara Rapoza want to thank all of those who participated. If you were not able to donate or missed this opportunity please visit redcross.org to find a drive near you. The need is constant.