The American Red Cross blood drive on Thursday at Northbridge Mall collected 39 pints of much-needed blood, according to a press release.

Drives are staffed and provided with supplies to collect blood based on the number of appointments that have been made, with a little extra if possible.  It can happen that in the very rare event that all appointment slots are filled, staff are stretched to the full extent of their ability to collect blood and walk-in donors may not be able to be accommodated. 

Donors who have made and kept their appointments must be given priority over walk-in donors. The event organizers ask for your understanding under these rare conditions. It is more often the case that donors miss appointments they have made, due to illness or schedule changes, which opens up time slots for walk-in donors who are desperately needed under those circumstances. The press release also said the organization  asks for the public’s understanding regarding the impossibility of staffing for an unknown number of donors in a way that does not waste donated resources.