Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
The number of residents who turn out for the community's blood drives are extraordinary, one of the highest in the state.
By LOGAN D. MABE
© St. Petersburg Times, published April 8, 2001
WESTCHASE -- When it comes to giving blood, Westchase resident pour their hearts out.
The community was one of six to receive a county neighborhood award this year for its string of successful blood drives.
The Westchase Community Association was recognized in the Most Successful Single Event category for its twice-a-year blood drive, which averages 115 donors annually.
"A lot of these organizations come to us for blood drives and can't seem to pull it together," said Brian Scully, director of community development at Florida Blood Service. Usually, he said, they'll get about a dozen donors.
"Westchase, over the years, has provided us 40 to 50 to 60 donors every time," Scully said.
In addition to recognition, the community association received a plaque.
The drives, held in March and September, have been a fixture of the Westchase community since 1998, said resident Pat Bingham, who helps organize them.
"I went ahead and totaled them back to the first drive and we've had 404 residents come in to donate during that three-year period," Bingham said. "Which is quite extraordinary for a residential community blood drive. There is no community that I'm aware of in the state that conducts blood drives like this that are stand-alone events."
Scully said all the blood collected in the drives stays in the area to benefit patients in the community. And every donation is broken down into four components that benefit people with four different needs.
"It really makes you feel good about living here," Bingham said.
- Logan D. Mabe can be reached at 813-226-3464 or at mabe@sptimes.com.