Stoneham Strong Blood Drive Underway at Boys & Girls Club

By Mark Ouellette

The Stoneham Strong Community Blood Drive is underway Tuesday afternoon at the Boys & Girls Club.

According to American Red Cross spokeswoman Donna M. Morrissey, nearly 50 people have donated blood in the opening 2 1/2 hours of the event, which is running from 2-7 p.m. at the club located at 15 Dale Court.

The town of Stoneham, Sen. Katherine Clark and State Rep. Jason Lewis's offices and the Red Cross teamed up to organize the event, according to Mark McKinnon, community affairs director for Clark's office.

Among those seen donating blood were Middlesex Sheriff Peter Koutoujian and Stoneham Board of Selectman John De Pinto.

JP and Paul Norden, a pair of Stoneham brothers who each lost a leg in the Boston Marathon bombings on April 15, also attended the blood drive.

A NEMLEC S.W.A.T. and State Police vehicles, as well as an Action EMS ambulance were stationed outside the blood drive.