Malloy, Blumenthal Among Loyal Donors Kicking Off Blood Drive

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Sen. Richard Blumenthal were among the many who stopped in to donate blood at the American Red Cross' Farmington Donation Center today to mark the kickoff of the fifth annual "Give a Pint, Get a Pound," program.

The program is a partnership between Dunkin’ Donuts and the American Red Cross. In January, donors willing to give a pint of blood to the American Red Cross will receive a coupon for a free pound of Dunkin’ Dounts coffee redeemable at franchises in the Northeast.

The event reminds occasional donors to come by and draws first-time donors at a time when blood supplies are low, explained Michael Delgado, team supervisor at the Farmington Donation Center.

"We are getting a lot more walk-ins today from all over the state," Delgado said. "We had one young lady who said she came in because she woke up and saw it on TV. The publicity really helps but we can't spend the money on it all the time."

That's why the Red Cross is so grateful to NBC 30 and Dunkin Donuts, said Paul Sullivan, American Red Cross CEO for blood collection in the region.

"Following the holidays people get busy with other things and we see fewer donors come in. This helps us to rebuild inventory and also to get the word out," Sullivan said.

The ultimate goal is to recruit more regular donors. According to Sullivan, about 32 percent of the population is able to donate blood but only about 5 percent actually does.

The Farmington center has a number of regular donors, who Sullivan says "get it" and keep coming back.

Cathy Cassineri, of Plainville, is one of those regulars.

"I just feel it's the right thing to do," she said. "I started in high school and I've been doing it ever since."

Though she's never needed to receive blood herself, she said it's important for it to be available.

Beside her, Charles Nelson, of Wethersfield was also waiting to give blood.

"It saves lives," he sadi. "I've been doing it 30 years; I started right after I got out of the service."

Steven Setzko, of Farmington, said he also began giving blood when he was young and got back into the habit once he got older. Since he has a less common blood type, Setzko said he feels it's especially important that he donate.

"The first few times [you give blood] it's nerveracking for people but you realize it's painless other than a needlestick and it doesn't take a lot of time," he said.

The wait was longer today because the blood donation center was crowded with NBC staff, Dunkin Donuts mascots and people waiting to see Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Gov. Dannel Malloy.

Staff said both have been longtime blood donors.

Blood drives and the “Give a Pint, Get a Pound” promotion continue through January. Donors are welcome to call ahead or stop in at the Farmington Blood Donation Center: from 8 a.m. to 6:45 p.m. on Jan. 5; from 6:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. on Jan. 7; from 12:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. on Jan. 11; from 6:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. on Jan. 14; from 12:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m. on Jan. 18; and from 6:30 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. on Jan. 20.