New Bedford Guide Your Guide to New Bedford and South Coast, MA
Reigning Miss New Bedford, Jillian Zucco, will be hosting a blood drive on World Blood Donor Day on Saturday, June 14.
Teaming up with Southcoast Health and the New Bedford Bay Sox, the 21 year-old nursing student will be at the Paul Walsh Field in New Bedford with the Southcoast Blood Donor Van from 12:30 to 6:30 p.m., just before the start of the Bay Sox game against the Valley Blue Sox.
Blood donors must bring a photo ID and are encouraged to eat prior to donating. Each donor will receive a free pair of tickets to any New Bedford Bay Sox home game.
According to Catherine Alegria, Donor Program Coordinator for Southcoast Health, every pint that is donated to the Southcoast Blood Bank is used locally at one of their local hospitals (Charlton, St. Luke’s, and Tobey) or at their Cancer Centers in Fall River and Fairhaven.
“The need is definitely great. Donations are significantly decreased this year due to this snowy winter and recent mechanical issues on the van,” states Alegria. She reports that they collect only 40% of what they use.
Ms. Zucco is a licensed EMT who is enrolled in the honors nursing program at UMASS Dartmouth. Her platform is entitled, Choose A Cause, Make A Difference. “It’s about spreading the spirit of volunteerism,” states Zucco. “I am happy to assist our local hospitals to stock up on their blood supply by not only giving blood myself, but by encouraging others to do the same.”
For more information, email alegriac@southcoast.org.
