Red Cross Hosting Blood Drives This Month in Honor of Boston Marathon Bombings

The American Red Cross is hosting a series of blood drives in remembrance of the Boston Marathon bombings this month.

The effort is part of a program titled "Stand Strong in Remembrance of the Boston Marathon Bombings," and among those attending an April 19 drive will be MBTA Transit Police Officer Richard "Dic" Donohue, who was injured in the early morning hours of the gun battle with the Tsarnaev brothers that played out in Watertown on April 19, 2013 in the aftermath of the bombings last year. 

Donohue was shot in the femoral artery during the shootout, which caused him to lose a large amount of blood, so much so that police escorts brought blood in from several hospitals in the area, as well as from the Red Cross in Dedham, according to CBS Boston. 

The American Red Cross also released a statement detailing the importance of blood donations, and how they are critical in the time of tragedy, such as with the Boston Marathon bombings. 

"When Officer Donohue was wounded in the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings, he required more than 46 blood products," the statement reads. "Trauma patients like Officer Donahue are just one example of why it's so important to donate blood or platelets. It's the blood on the shelves that helps save lives before, during and after a tragedy or disaster."  

The first of the drives was held Tuesday at the Massachusetts State Police headquarters in Framingham, but more drives are planned throughout the rest of the month. 

Below is the full list of blood drives to be held as part of the program in April and early May. Anyone interested in donating blood can make an appointment by calling 1-800-Red-Cross (733-2767) or by visiting redcrossblood.org. 

Tuesday, April 8
Local 103 IBEW Blood Drive
256 Freeport St.
Dorchester, MA
11:30 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Wednesday, April 9
Cape Cod Community College Blood Drive  
2240 Iyannough Rd. (Rt. 132)
West Barnstable, MA
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Friday, April 11
Stoneham Strong Blood Drive  
Stoneham Boys and Girls Club
15 Dale Court
Stoneham, MA
1 to 7 p.m.

Friday, April 18
Boston Strong Blood Drive  
Boston Marriott Copley Place
110 Huntington Ave.
Boston, MA
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Saturday, April 19
Watertown Strong Blood Drive Sponsored by Mount Auburn Hospital  
Watertown High School
50 Columbia St.
Watertown, MA
9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Tuesday, April 22 and Friday, April 25
Boston College Red Cross Club Blood Drive    
Boston College - Conte Forum
140 Commonwealth Ave.
Chestnut Hill, MA
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday, May 3
Burlington Community Blood Drive
American Legion
162 Winn St.
Burlington, MA
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.