On March 4th, a Bloodmobile from Mass General Hospital arrived on the Belmont Hill campus for blood donations. The Bloodmobile makes its way to campus twice throughout the year, once in the Fall and once in the spring, in an effort to receive blood from students and faculty alike.
The Bloodmobile is sponsored by the Kraft Family Donor Center. The Kraft Family Blood Donor Center was founded more than thirty years ago, when Belmont Hill parent Robert Kraft, alongside his wife Myra Kraft, worked with Dr. Kenneth Anderson to found the organization. The blood raised from the organization goes to local hospitals such as Dana Farber and Brigham.
There are two different Bloodmobiles, both 40 feet long and containing four different donation beds. Each donor is in and out of the vehicle within thirty minutes, allowing the donation process to be swift and effective. Each donor is provided with snacks and refreshments to make their visit even more enjoyable.
The average donor gives just under one pint of blood, out of the human body’s 9-12 pints. While this may seem like a lot, MGH states that the pint will be self-replenished inside the body within 24 hours of donation. According to the MGH website, the blood gathered during the drive can be used for many different people in the hospital, including someone with a deadly disease, someone receiving a heart transplant, or even a newborn baby.
During the visit at Belmont Hill, upperclassmen students and parents alike donated a total of 11 pints of blood. While this number does not top that of previous years, it is undoubtful that the drive made a positive impact.
One student’s parent involved in the drive stated the process was, “Smooth, efficient, and an easy way to make an impact.” The semi-annual blood drive embodies the giving and caring environment present throughout Belmont Hill.