LEWISTON — Turnout was strong for the first commemorative “One Lewiston” blood drive last week at Central Maine Medical Center, and the opportunity to donate continues.
The drive was a joint effort among the American Red Cross of Northern New England, LifeFlight of Maine and CMMC. It was organized to honor those who were impacted by the mass shootings in Lewiston on Oct. 25, 2023.
All available donor slots were filled for both days of the event, but the effort is ongoing through an American Red Cross Sleeves Up virtual blood drive. People can donate from anywhere by visiting redcrossblood.org and assigning their donation to the “One Lewiston” blood drive.
The goal of the onsite and virtual campaign is to collect a total of 1,025 units of blood, a number that is symbolic of 10.25, the date of the tragedy in Lewiston.
On the evening of the tragedy, Central Maine Healthcare quickly assembled a large team of surgeons who have expertise in orthopedics, cardiovascular, thoracic, colorectal, urologic, plastic and general surgery. They were aided by more than 100 nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other CMH healthcare professionals, all of whom have had extensive training in mass casualty incidents.
They relied heavily on the blood supply CMMC had on hand at the time, and also on donations from other hospitals in the region.