China trip changes some opinions on local trade deal
July 18, 2012Locals to House: Pass the sugar, please
July 18, 2012
Want a pint of free ice cream? All you’ve got to do is give up a pint of blood to Terrebonne General Medical Center, which is participating in Baskin Robbins’ Pint for Pint Program.
“We’ve been turning in about 450 coupons a month,” said Madelyn Petersen, owner of the Baskins Robbins in Houma. “People have been coming in with them for about a year, and they can choose from any of our 32 flavors.”
Anyone who donates blood at the TGMC Blood Donor Center will have the choice of receiving a coupon for one pint of Baskin Robbins’ ice cream or other items such as t-shirts, CD holders and even a free cholesterol check.
“We participated in the program last year, and it was so popular that we brought it back this year,” Blood Donor Center Laboratory Director Cathy Kohmann said. “We plan to keep it going as long as Baskin Robbins does.”
Kohmann said she had just ordered 500 additional coupons, and Baskin Robbins overnights them to the center.
“We also offer shirts and other items for donating, but the ice cream coupons are very popular,” Kohmann said. “We have thought about using a points system, but we don’t want to wait to reward our donors. We want to keep our donors happy.”
About 550 to 600 people donate blood at the center each month, helping the hospital sustain its supply so that it does not have to buy blood for patients.
“The blood donated here stays here,” Kohmann said. “It is important that blood donated in our community goes back to the community, and it is also important for our donors to know that. We are not at critical levels with any of our blood supplies, but we could use more of [type] O and A-positive.”
According to TGMC, someone needs blood every two seconds, and donating one pint of blood could save up to three lives. The blood donating process takes about 40 minutes, and anyone wishing to give blood can make an appointment or walk in.
Donors must be 17 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds. Appointments may be made by calling (985) 873-4025 or visit the Blood Donor Center, which is located in TGMC’s Medical Annex Building behind the hospital on Belanger Street. The center’s hours of operation are Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Extended hours are offered from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. on Tuesdays by appointment only.
Terrebonne General Medical Center nurse Pam Spearman presents Thaddeus Scott of Houma with a coupon for a free pint of Baskin Robbins’ ice cream. Anyone who donates blood at the TGMC Blood Donor Center will have the choice of receiving a coupon for one pint of ice cream for their donation.
