Written by John Hunter

UPCOMING BLOOD DRIVES

New York Blood Center

Bring Valid Photo ID. For Questions Regarding Medical Eligibility, Please Call 1-800-688-0900. Appointments Are Strongly Encouraged. Visit www.nybloodcenter.org To Schedule An Appointment.

American Red Cross

Bring Valid Photo ID. For Questions Regarding Medical Eligibility, Please Call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543). Appointments Are Strongly Encouraged. Call 1-800-448-3543 or visit Donate Blood to schedule an appointment.

Scheduled Drives

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2009 (3:00 - 8:30 PM)

Masonic Hall (71 West 23rd Street - 2nd Floor, New York City)

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2009 (3:00 - 8:30 PM)

Masonic Hall (28 Lincoln Avenue, Rockville Centre)

MONDAY, DECEMBER 7, 2009 (3:00 - 8:30 PM)

Masonic Hall (71 West 23rd Street - 2nd Floor, New York City)

MONDAY, MARCH 10, 2010 (3:00 - 8:30 PM)

Masonic Hall (71 West 23rd Street - 2nd Floor, New York City)

MONDAY, MAY 10, 2010 (3:00 - 8:30 PM)

Masonic Hall (71 West 23rd Street - 2nd Floor, New York City)

Is your blood drive not listed here or on the Committee’s materials? E-mail us to get the word out there! Note: all dates and time are subject to change -- visit the Committee’s website for drive confirmation.

*Note: all dates/times are subject to change, please check back or contact the sponsor.

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ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION

New York Blood Center

Please note if you have never donated blood and/or have questions about your eligibility you are strongly encouraged to contact the New York Blood Center at 1-800-688-0900 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org in advance of the blood drive.

American Red Cross

Please note if you have never donated blood and/or have questions about your eligibility you are strongly encouraged to contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit Donate Blood in advance of the blood drive

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MESSAGE FROM THE BLOOD DONOR PROGRAM COMMITTEE CHAIR

The Masonic Blood Donor Program Committee had a great year last year and looks to having another successful year this year. However, we need you and your brethren, friends, and family to continue to recognize that the “Gift of Life” can only be provided by caring and concerned individuals who donate on a regular basis. The maintenance of an adequate and safe community blood supply is part of our responsibility. Let’s help meet it!

As A Blood Donor

Do not forget! The need of Blood does not discriminate -- Mason or non-Mason! You never know when you, or a loved one, might need to make withdrawal from a blood bank, so you had better begin making some deposits!

As Community Service Providers

Our Masonic Blood Drives are an excellent community service project for the following reasons:

Excellent public relations project
Great exposure for the sponsoring Lodge or District
Relatively easy to organize
Requires minimal manpower
Minimal-to-no expense
Donating and collecting blood saves lives

In the Metropolitan area, we are proud to be partnering with the New York Blood Center (NYBC) (www.nybloodcenter.org). Outside of the Metropolitan area, we are proud to be partnering with the American Red Cross (ARC) (www.donatebloodnow.org). Both the New York Blood Center and the American Red Cross make it extremely easy to arrange and promote blood drives. When your District or Lodge commits to holding a Masonic blood drive, be sure to contact both the facilitator (NYBC or ARC) and the Committee.

The Masonic Blood Donor Program Committee is there to help you with your drive, so just make the call! The more notice you give, the more we can promote your event throughout the state with no effort on your part. You can find information and materials on how to arrange your own drive on the Committee’s website.

Blood Donor Facts

Individuals who are at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in New York State), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. Persons 76 and older can donate, but require written clearance from their physician.

You can not have donated blood within the last 56 days (112 days for automated red cell donations).

Picture ID and social security number are required. You may also bring your New York Blood Center or American Red Cross donor card.

Most medications do not preclude a person from giving blood; only a small handful of the thousands of medications out there will prevent a person from donating. The most common drug that precludes donating is antibiotics (as persons with active infections cannot donate).

Most people with diabetes, high blood pressure, certain heart conditions, and high cholesterol can still give blood, as long as their condition is under control. The most common exclusion is for tattoos that were administered within 12 months of the date of donating.

Note: If you have never donated blood and/or have questions about your eligibility you are strongly encouraged to contact one of the following in advance of the blood drive:

The New York Blood Center at 1-800-688-0900 or visit www.nybloodcenter.org

The American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit www.donatebloodnow.org

Donor Recognition

For the term ending May 31, 2009, we would like to recognize the following for their contributions to the blood donor program:

W Jamshed R. Ghadiali of Queens District’s Service City Geba Lodge # 1009 for donating since 1965 with over 210 donations (6 in the most recent year)
W Raymond D. Snyder of Cortland-Madison District’s Cortlandville Lodge #470 for donating since 1963 with over 72 units donations (3 during the recent year in addition to platelets)
VW Richard P. Freeman of Cortland-Madison District’s Otselic Valley Lodge #659 for donating since 1980 with over 65 donations (currently on hiatus due to medical condition)
W Allan J. Ferguson of Cortland-Madison District’s Cortlandville Lodge #470 for donating since 1992 with over 62 donations (6 during the most recent year).

For the upcoming year, we will be again bestowing upon all Brothers a certificate of appreciation for giving six units of whole blood during the term of June 2009 and May 2010. In addition, a certificate of appreciation for Brothers who have given lifetime contributions in excess of sixty units of blood. Information and registration forms are on the Committee’s website.

Download 2009/10 Blood Donor Recognition Application Form

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MASONIC BLOOD DONOR PROGRAM COMMITTEE

The Committee is always looking for a few good men! Interested in participating? Please contact us.

A special note to the District Deputy Grand Masters and Masters of Lodges, if you do not already have one appointed, please look among your membership and find someone from your District and/or Lodge to serve as a point person for which we can communicate through. Also, if you know of a Masonic blood drive and it is not on the Committee’s website, that means we don’t know of it either! Please keep us in the loop so we can maximize the number of donors.

R .?. W.?. Sheldon D. Stachel, Chairman 0483/1 K, 0445/2 K ((718) 998-8569 or (718) 963-8310)

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , Vice Chairman 0750/6 M

Committee Members: Miguel A. Ballena 0387/10 M, Ronald C. Baty 1175/2 E, Donald C. Bell 0154/Mo, Gordon D. Bennett 0163/Mo, Gordon W. Bennett 0892/Q, Harold C. Chapman 0524/Ono, Robert C. Cox 0822/1 N, Joseph Defrancesco, Neil E. Jeffers 1097/1 One, William H. Johnson 0494/Suf, Charles H. Logan 0582/G-U, Charles V. Mcmains 0178, 0195/2 M, Scott E. Meyer 0712, 1035/Bx, Reinold H. Nelson 1147/Ch, Roger A. Tharaldsen 0217, 0477/1 Stl, Theodore J. Welter 0001/1 M, 0647, 0758/3 K