Gift of Life Marathon

07/28/2026

The memories we have of Nanci Gordon! In the old days, when we first created the Gift of Life Marathon, Nancy was on the ground floor helping market it with Terry Jaye and Steve Costello, and turning it into the biggest thing going in blood donation! Her intense positivity, warm personality, and outgoing nature made her a natural to promote an event like this. Thanks to Nancy, we were able to turn the Gift of Life into a national-record-setting blood drive, one that will always be associated with her, and for which we are deeply thankful. We share our condolences and sympathy with all who knew her.

It is with great sadness that we honor local icon Nanci Gordon, who we learned from WSYB, has died. Nanci was one of a kind, a radio star, religious leader, Beatles fanatic, and friend to many, many local residents who are no doubt feeling her loss today.

Nanci was the always-positive radio partner to Terry Jaye for many years, sharing local, state and international news and a buoyant personality to her loyal listeners. She was one of the founders of the Gift of Life Marathon, and helped make it a record-breaking event that helped save thousands of lives. The Pack The Paramount Food Drive, which collected tons of food and tens of thousands of dollars over the years, was her brainchild. And she helped untold numbers off nonprofits with support of all kinds, from radio plugs to volunteering.

Nanci was also uniquely herself, a one-of-a-kind woman with an undying love for Rutland. She will be greatly missed.

07/28/2026

We’ve only seen this once before: there is a national blood crisis right now! There’s plenty of local blood drives where you can help make a difference.

07/22/2026

Despite the best efforts of many local donors in recent weeks, there is now a dangerous drop in the blood supply!

The need is real, please help end the blood shortage! Donors of all blood types — especially those with types O+ & B- blood — are needed now to help reverse a dangerous drop in the Red Cross blood supply. Book now to help ensure patients receive lifesaving medical care: https://rcblood.org/donate
American Red Cross of Northern New England

07/07/2026

Our volunteers and Red Cross staff are here and we’re just about ready to go! Today’s the big day! Spaces are available at both the Elks Club and Howe Center! 

07/06/2026

Great to see Terry Jaye, Stefanie Schaffer and Steve Costello on the air to promote tomorrow’s Gift of Life Mini Marathon! There are still plenty of appointments available at 800-RED-CROSS and www.redcrossblood.org! Give the Gift of Life!

07/04/2026

We’ve tried to appeal to your best instincts. We’ve tried to explain the critical need for blood, and the negative impact hot weather and summer in general has on donations.

We’ve even reminded folks that the need for blood - for cancer patients, accident victims, newborns and new mothers, and all kinds of other people who depend on blood and blood products - never disappears.

But we still have nearly 100 openings for Tuesday’s Gift of Life Mini Marathon in Rutland. Anyone got any ideas of what we can say to inspire people to sign up?

Schedule your blood donation appointment today.

07/03/2026

Cool new T-shirts for donors! Please make an appointment today for next Tuesday in Rutland!

Whether you’re quick like Speedy, clever like Bugs or determined like Daffy, you’ve got what it takes to be a holiday hero. Get a classic Red Cross x Looney Tunes™ T‑shirt, while they last, when you come to give blood or platelets by July 12. Book today: https://rcblood.org/4verALK

07/02/2026

The heat may be tough, but not too bad to stop Rutland from doing what it does when the chips are down - stepping up! The Summer Mini Marathon on Tuesday is intended to help address a critical need for blood donors! You can help! Make your appointment today!

07/01/2026

Eight years ago we learned of the horrific accident in the Bahamas that killed one woman and injured many others, including Stefanie Schaffer, a Rutland college student whose life was turned upside down in seconds. Thanks to family, friends, doctors, nurses and an incredible spirit, Stef overcame incredibly long odds to survive, walk, talk and rebuild her life, a life she could never have imagined. She also became one of the most effective blood donation advocates anywhere, helping turn out thousands of blood donors over the past eight years.

As Stef and her family celebrate Life Day today - she continues to support the Mini GOLM and GOLM as an advocate and volunteer! Thank you, Stef, for all you do, and for your relentless effort to lead. ❤️

06/30/2026

Pulling off a successful blood drive of the size of the Gift of Life Mini Marathon takes a huge community of people! This is just a tiny sampling of people who have helped make the GOLM and MINi GOLM successes over the year - and we desperately need YOU now! Appointments are well behind what we need to reach our goal one week from today, July 7.

Be part of something special, and give the gift of life!