Cape Cod Hospitals Need Blood Donations, Sign Up For A Drive

FALMOUTH, MA — Are you looking for a way to start off 2021 with something positive? Cape Cod Healthcare could use residents' help replenishing the blood supply to help their hospitals get through the start of the new year, especially amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The 11th annual U.S. Marine Corporal Nicholas G. Xiarhos Memorial Blood Drive will be held over the month of February. Supporters are encouraged to select a Cape Cod Healthcare blood drive of their choice in the month of February and donate in the honor of Xiarhos.

Xiarhos, a class of 2006 graduate of Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School, died in 2009 on the battlefield in Garmsir, Afghanistan, while going to the rescue of his fellow combat marines. This blood drive is conducted annually in February in memory of his birthday.

"In past years, more than 200 donors have come out to show their support and appreciation for Marine Corporal Xiarhos, who was killed in the line of duty," said Jonathan DeCoste, the senior blood donor recruiter for Cape Cod Healthcare. "We encourage donors to continue this annual tradition by donating the gift of life in Nicholas’ name in the month of February."

During the coronavirus pandemic, getting blood donations has become even more critical, according to hospital officials. Cape Cod and Falmouth hospitals need at least one week's worth of blood on hand at all times, since each unit collected or purchased only lasts 42 days.

If you'd like to help replenish the supply, you can consider taking part in one of the following blood drives:

• February 2: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Harwich Police, 183 Sisson Rd, Harwich
• February 3: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Clark-Haddad American Legion Post 188, 20 Main Street, Sandwich
• February 4: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Barnstable Police Department Community Blood Drive, at Hyannis Golf Course, 1800 Iyannough Rd, Hyannis
• February 8: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., Harwich Community Center, 100 Oak Street, Harwich
• February 9: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Bass River Rod & Gun Club, 621 Route 6A, Yarmouthport
• February 11: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., CCHC Building, 26 Edgerton Drive, N. Falmouth
• February 16: 12 noon – 6:00 p.m., Chatham Works, 323 Orleans Rd, N. Chatham
• February 17: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Northside United Methodist Church, 701 Airline Rd, Brewster
• February 18: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., John Wesley United Methodist Church, 270 Gifford Street, Falmouth
• February 22: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Christ the King Church, 3 Jobs Fishing Rd, Mashpee
• February 23: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Clark-Haddad American Legion Post 188, 20 Main Street, Sandwich
• February 24: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Eastham Library, 190 Samoset Rd, Eastham

All blood collected at Cape Cod Healthcare blood drives stays on Cape Cod. Donors to blood drives in January will receive a Target gift card.

Donors to Cape Cod Healthcare blood drives in February will receive a Target gift card.

The Nicholas G. Xiarhos Blood Donor Center inside Cape Cod Hospital is now open by appointment only from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Appointments are required at all blood drives. To make an appointment for the donor center, call 508-862-5663. To make an appointment at an upcoming blood drive, visit www.capecodhealth.org/give-blood