Manchester Road Race Blood Drive Named For Tolland Runner A Go

MANCHESTER, CT — The Manchester Road Race Committee will again be partnering with the American Red Cross of Connecticut this month when it holds its annual Ray Crothers Blood Drive.

The blood drive, which in recent years has become one of Connecticut's largest, is scheduled for Nov. 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Manchester High School.

Manchester High School is located at 134 East Middle Turnpike in Manchester.

The road race committee began conducting a blood drive as part of its race week activities in 1986. The event is named after former MRR champion and longtime participant Ray Crothers of Tolland, who died of cancer in 2008. More than 6,500 pints of life saving blood have been donated to the Red Cross since the local drive was initiated by the road race committee.

Although the MRR will take place virtually this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, race sponsors continued with plans to hold the annual drive, which has traditionally been scheduled on the day after Thanksgiving.

"The current health crisis makes the need for blood, and drives like ours, even more critical," said Lance Morgan, a local physician's assistant and member of the Manchester Road Race Executive Committee that is overseeing the drive. "This is one of the ways our road race gives back to the community, and we are urging everyone who possibly can to donate."

All donors will receive a commemorative Manchester Road Race tee shirt and will be treated to refreshments provided by Highland Park Market. Appointments are suggested and can be made by calling the Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. Continuing as financial sponsors of the Ray Crothers Blood Drive are the Eastern Connecticut Health Network and Eastern Connecticut Pathology Consultants.

More information about the Ray Crothers Blood Drive and this year's Virtual Manchester Road Race is available at www.manchesterroadrace.com.