Masons' blood drive answers need

The Norwood Orient Lodge is hosting a blood drive this Saturday, Oct. 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the First Congregational Church at 100 Winter St. in Norwood.

There is always a need for blood, but it’s especially critical now as the holidays approach. And it’s not just your blood that’s needed; it’s what’s inside it.

According to the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, the United States and Massachusetts is currently experiencing a blood products shortage, which refers to not only the oxygen delivery system that is your red blood cells, but also blood platelets for cancer treatments and plasma for treating burn victims and clotting disorders.

Norwood Orient Lodge Secretary Brother Steven Sheeky said the Masons are stepping up to the plate.

Or platelet, as the case may be.

“So we do this every couple of months on a regular schedule at the First Congregational Church on Winter Street,” he said. “It’s part of our core mission of community outreach, and so we’ve partnered with the Red Cross.”

To date, the Orient Lodge has hosted 13 total blood drives, collected 453 units of blood, had 484 total donors and averaged about 35 units per drive. The church donates the hall for the Lodge and the Red Cross, and Sheeky said they couldn’t be happier to partner with the congregation. He said there is always a need, but demand seems to tick up near a holiday.

“It’s usually Fourth of July, Christmas, Thanksgiving, when people travel and are in unfamiliar surroundings is usually when things happen where blood transfusions are needed,” he said, adding that occasions where there is a lot of cutlery – big family dinners – or lots of explosives – Fourth of July – generally see a lot of incidents.

“As far as the need goes, in the ER or ICU transfusions are needed, and the Red Cross separates out and distributes platelets and plasma for things like sickle cell anemia, and platelets for hemophilia,” he said. “So there are a lot of different things the blood is used for. It’s always an ongoing situation.

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And it’s not just about giving. Sheeky said several Mason brothers have received transfusions or platelets from the Red Cross that helped to save their lives.

He said there will also be snacks provided for donations.

“Cookies, crackers, drinks, potato chips, and things like that,” he said. “And sometimes the Red Cross does promotions for donors; this time around they are offering a limited edition print of a Peanuts cartoon T-shirt to all donors and anyone who accompanies a donor.”

For more information and to stay abreast of upcoming drive, go to https://tinyurl.com/yam7974f