Durham, Dover, Newmarket blood drives all save lives. Only one town could win, though.

Megan Fernandes, Fosters Daily Democrat
·2 min read
Stephanie Couturier, regional chief executive officer of the American Red Cross, left, and Todd Selig, Durham's town administrator, are seen at the Durham donation site May 25, 2022, for the recent blood drive challenge. Durham won the challenge over Dover and Newmarket.
Stephanie Couturier, regional chief executive officer of the American Red Cross, left, and Todd Selig, Durham's town administrator, are seen at the Durham donation site May 25, 2022, for the recent blood drive challenge. Durham won the challenge over Dover and Newmarket.

DURHAM — A friendly competition between three local communities to see which could donate the most blood will save hundreds of lives, according to the Red Cross.

During a nationwide shortage in blood donations, municipal leaders of Durham, Dover and Newmarket decided to hold a blood-drive competition this week. The three municipalities exceeded the goal they set and collected 91 pints, which can save up to 273 lives.

There were three separate drives this week, one in each municipality. The town of Durham donated the most blood of the three, with a close near-tie between Dover and Newmarket.

Durham Town Administrator Todd Selig said that the strong turnout across all three municipalities "helped move the needle forward."

"Thank you for everyone’s great work on this event," Selig said. "From Firoze Katrak who suggested the idea, to the terrific Red Cross staff and volunteers who pulled everything together, to the selfless citizens who stepped forward to donate blood in our three communities – thank you. Our goal in this competition was to do our part to help replenish critical blood supplies for the Seacoast."

The losing city and town managers will buy lunch for Selig at Bamee, a Thai street noodle and Asian fusion restaurant in Durham. The winner also gets exclusive bragging rights, Selig joked.

Three towns with the drive to donate: Durham, Dover, Newmarket compete in blood drive. Here's how you can help and win.

Stephanie Couturier, regional chief executive officer of the American Red Cross, left, with Dover City Manager Michael Joyal, Newmarket Town Manager Steve Fournier, and Durham Town Administrator Todd Selig. The leaders are rolling up their sleeves to promote a friendly blood-drive competition between their towns.
Stephanie Couturier, regional chief executive officer of the American Red Cross, left, with Dover City Manager Michael Joyal, Newmarket Town Manager Steve Fournier, and Durham Town Administrator Todd Selig. The leaders are rolling up their sleeves to promote a friendly blood-drive competition between their towns.

The idea came about after Durham resident Firoze Katrak pitched the ideal to Selig, inspired by the Census Challenges the municipalities held in the past. Newmarket won the first Census hallenge and Dover won the second. Selig had joked prior to the event it was Durham's turn to win.

Stephanie Couturier, chief executive officer of the American Red Cross Northern New England Region, said the organization hopes the competition will become an annual event. She said that with more than 80% of blood donations coming in from community blood drives like this one, the Red Cross depends heavily on these volunteer drive organizers.

"We are so grateful for the enthusiasm, compassion and competitive spirit Durham, Dover and Newmarket brought to this event," Couturier said. "We hope it will become an annual tradition. And while we are congratulating the town of Durham for taking home the title and bragging rights this year, the true winners are the generous volunteer donors who selflessly rolled up their sleeves to give the gift of life.”

Information: redcrossblood.org

This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: Durham, Dover, Newmarket blood drives all save lives. One town wins.