Two blood donors win top prizes

FREEHOLD - During a drawing held at a Monmouth County Board of Freeholders meeting on July 10, Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry reached into a bag and retrieved the names of two topprize winners in a drawing sponsored by the Central Jersey Blood Center. The entrants all participated in a blood drive on July 8.

"It is estimated that 95 percent of the population will need blood at some point in their lives, so I am pleased to learn that the Monmouth County drive was successful," Burry said. "Blood donated in Monmouth County helps our hospitals, and the need typically goes up during the summer. I want to thank all those who took the time to visit our health department and make a donation."

Susan Greitz of Freehold won Rod Stewart tickets for a concert at the PNC Bank Arts Center, Holmdel.

Margaret Mara, a county employee, won a $500 gasoline card. Before resuming the freeholder meeting, Burry telephoned the winners to tell them of their good fortune. Greitz was unavailable, but Mara, a microfilm machine operator at the county archives, was contacted.

"I'm ecstatic," said Mara, who donates blood as often as she can. "I was really happy to be able to donate and get the $10 gas card. But now I can go cross country. I can't remember the last time I filled up my tank due to the high cost of gas prices. It's usually $10 here and $20 there."

Dana Hanlon, an account executive with Central Jersey Blood Center, said the blood drive was a success and came at a critical time. It was anticipated that the blood drive would yield about 60 units of blood, she said, but high turnout resulted in 115 units of blood being donated.

"The July 4 weekend is the biggest trauma weekend of the year, because of the big influx of people," Hanlon said. "When we came in the following Monday our shelves were empty, so it was nice to be able to immediately replace the blood. We service all hospitals in Monmouth and Ocean counties, so all of the blood we collect at our donation sites is being used by local patients."

All blood donors on July 8 were awarded $10 ExxonMobil gasoline cards. All of the participants were eligible for the grand-prize drawing.