Blood drive contest benefits as many as 900 patients

A friendly competition during June between Los Alamos and Sandia national laboratories to mark World Blood Donor Day on June 14 ended in a very close contest with 170 donors taking part from each laboratory.

Sandia came out on top with a total of 183 units collected (with 47 new donors) to Los Alamos' 180 units (and 37 new donors). The blood donated by all the volunteers could positively impact the lives of nearly 900 patients in New Mexico.

"The total of 340 donors this year across both laboratories is 95 more than last year, and we collected 72 more units overall," said Kayla Norris, who organized the Los Alamos drive in conjunction with blood drive partner Vitalant. "Thanks to everyone who took part, and we'll get Sandia next year!"

Wrote Heidi Chase and Drew Sharpless, Vitalant account managers for Los Alamos and Sandia, in a statement: “Sandia and Los Alamos National Laboratory donors stepped up to this year’s challenge with renewed energy and vigor, growing participation and providing a tremendous amount of lifesaving blood to our communities. Vitalant greatly appreciates the overwhelming and ongoing support of our mission of saving lives through the gift of blood donation. Ultimately, the real winners are the hospital patients in New Mexico who will benefit from their generous gift.”

Although the blood drive competition occurs only in June, Los Alamos hosts at least one blood drive every month for employees. Last year, the Laboratory organized 18 blood drives, with 853 donors giving 1,004 units of blood — enough to save 3,012 lives.