Blood drive called a success

JACKSON - When it comes to holding a blood drive, the Westlake adult community has once again proved it is second to no other similar community in the state.

According to the Central Jersey Blood Center, Shrewsbury, the third annual Chuck Boudreau Memorial Blood Drive held at Jackson's Westlake Golf and Country Club on Sept. 18 generated the largest response so far in adult communities in New Jersey.

"More than 100 pints were collected from 124 donors," said Rob Cuthbert, who coordinates the blood drive with his wife, Joyce. "That will help to partially meet the critical shortage of blood that exists in New Jersey. We had a lot of repeat donors, but this year we had 40 new donors."

Boudreau will be remembered as Westlake's foremost volunteer, involved in various projects to help others, Cuthbert said.

Boudreau, 62, died in December 2004 from lymphoma, a form of cancer.

More than 30 volunteers donated their time before and during the recent blood drive, Cuthbert said. He said the success of Westlake's blood drives can be attributed to the fact that the community is close-knit and because the drive is preceded by a lot of promotion and special events. Attractive prizes are offered each year as well, he said.

"We are already exploring new ways and prizes to attract donors next year," Cuthbert said. "One hundred percent of the donors who participated this year said they would donate again. It is our goal to stay No. 1 among adult communities in New Jersey."

- Dick Metzgar