Norwood Elks, Masons Unite to Sponsor MGH Blood Drive

Christopher Sales and Eric Shute (left to right)

Annual Orient Lodge MGH Blood Drive On for September 12 Despite Cancellation of Norwood Day Activities
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Norwood, Mass. - The MGH Bloodmobile comes to Norwood for a community Blood Drive on Saturday, September 12, 2020, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Norwood Elks, 152 Winslow Ave.

​Appointments are strongly encouraged in order to maintain physical distancing. Walk-ins will be welcomed as capacity allows.  Visit orientlodge.org to make an appointment.

Sponsored annually by the Orient Lodge of Masons, the drive was initially planned as part of Norwood Day festivities. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of Norwood Day, the Masons sought a partner who could help host the bloodmobile and provide accessible space for donor registration to meet pandemic-related physical distancing requirements. 
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“Both the Elks and the Masons enjoy being a big part of Norwood Day, and we’re glad to adjust our plans and help support the Masons’ important work of blood donation collections,” said Christopher Sales, exalted ruler of the Norwood Elks. 

​“Community blood drives are critical to maintaining blood supplies, and the pandemic has forced the cancellation of many community drives this year. We wanted to keep this drive on MGH’s calendar, and the Norwood Elks are helping us do so safely and within physical distancing guidelines,” said Eric Shute, master-elect of Orient Lodge. “We hope Norwood supports us as it always does; we want to fill every appointment to ensure patients in need don’t miss out.” 

Donors are encouraged to hydrate, eat healthy food, and get a good night’s rest before donating blood. Individuals who are 17 years of age, or 16 years old with parental permission, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. 

Today the MGH Blood Donor Center provides the approximately 75,000 blood components necessary annually to transfuse patients at Mass General and other nearby medical facilities. In addition to serving the patient population at Mass General, the center also provides blood and blood components to the Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Shriners Burn Institute for Children, the Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, and MassGeneral for Children. Blood is supplied by volunteer donors – people who realize the ongoing need for lifesaving blood.
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Follow Orient Lodge @Orient_Norwood. Visit orientlodge.org for more information, or visit elks.org and click Lodge Locator. ​

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