Fourth annual blood drive remembers local volunteer
BY DAVE BENJAMIN Staff Writer

JACKSON - The fourth annual Chuck Boudreau blood drive is ready to roll at the Westlake Golf and Country Club adult community.

"Westlake's blood drive started in 2004 to obtain blood for one of our residents, Chuck Boudreau, who was suffering from leukemia and ultimately needed 16 pints of blood," said Rob Cuthbert, a spokesman for the blood drive. "This year the blood drive will take place on Sept. 24 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. It is only open to Westlake residents. "

Cuthbert said Boudreau, who eventually lost his battle with leukemia, was "an amazing humanitarian and a No. 1 volunteer. He spearheaded over a dozen efforts benefiting the military in Iraq, children, shut-ins, cancer victims, local schools and many others. [During his fight with cancer] he even tracked one effort from his hospital bed. Over 100 residents turned out to donate their blood.

"The need for blood is still seriously acute and each year we conduct a drive in Chuck's memory," Cuthbert said. "Last year we collected 53 percent more than the prior year and Westlake was No. 1 in adult communities in the state."

On a per capita basis, the residents of Westlake had twice the average number of donations in New Jersey, he said.

Westlake residents can make a blood donation if they have been cancer-free for five years or are diabetic with no heart condition. Donors may be on insulin or blood pressure medication, Cuthbert said.

Boudreau's widow, Marie, will donate a five-star Marriott vacation at Hilton Head, S.C., to a lucky donor. Each donor will receive a Westlake T-shirt, a $10 gas card and a lymphoma bracelet.

More than 50 gifts have been contributed by local businesses, including five-star dinners in New York City, a professional portrait, $500 cash, smoked Alaskan Salmon, 30 gift cards at local restaurants, and professional golf, tennis and bridge lessons.

But more than those gifts will be the gift of knowing that a donation may have saved a life, Cuthbert said.

The blood drive, which is sponsored by the Westlake Men's Club, will once again call upon the staff at the Central Jersey Blood Bank to make the collection.