Honda North Sponsors “March Madness”

Honda North, a member of the International Cars, Ltd. family of dealerships, recently sponsored a successful blood drive dubbed “March Madness”, which recognizes the annual NCAA basketball tournament. The collected blood will be given to the American Red Cross.

The blood drive held on March 11 at the North Shore Donor Center, 99 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, collected 99 units of blood and 20 blood platelet products in the apheresis unit. Apheresis is a special kind of blood donation of specific blood components such as platelets.

"It's great when a company gets behind one of its drives. Honda North not only sponsors the event, but representatives actually attend and help out, and they really get creative with their fun themes," said Pam Leach, a representative of the New England Red Cross. "We hope other potential sponsors will look at this experience and realize how easily they can help their community and keep the blood supply intact throughout the year."

According to Wicked Local, each unit of whole blood has the potential to save three lives and a single apheresis donation can provide as many platelets as five whole blood donations. It means the donated blood can save about 400 potential lives.

Ordinarily, the North Shore Donor Center at Rosewood Drive collects 60 units of blood on a particular drive. The 99 units from the “March Madness” drive, however, nearly matched Honda North’s record of 110 units of blood. February’s record at the North Shore Donor Center at Honda North’s Beach Blanket Blood Drive was the most ever for a day at that site.

To encourage more donors, the dealership has given away gift bags and has awarded raffle prizes. The lunch and refreshments for donors were donated by Vinny T's, Bugaboo Creek and Costco. "We thank Vinny T's, Bugaboo Creek and Costco for providing donors with food," said Devin Sullivan, general manager of Honda North.

"We try to bring some fun to the day for our donors," Sullivan told the Eagle Tribune. "It's really about the community coming together to support one another. Honda North has made a tradition of our annual spring and fall drives. After all, the need for blood never goes away."

Article Source: http://www.rightarticle.com

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

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