Taconic Grad Gittens Racks Up More Honors at MCLA

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass.— MCLA senior guard and Taconic High School graduate Quentin Gittens has been named the MASCAC Player of the Week for the third time in four weeks.
 
Gittens averaged 30.5 points, 8.5 rebounds, four assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks in a 2-0 week for the Trailblazers.
 
He Posted a double-double with 25 points and 12 rebounds, adding six assists, two blocks, and a steal in a 73-72 road victory at Salem State, where he sank a pair of free throws in the final seconds to secure the win. And he followed that up with a career-high 36-point performance in a 67-59 at Framingham State, adding five rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and a steal, leading the Trailblazers to the conference win.
 
Gittens and the Trailblazers are back in action on Saturday when they welcome Worcester State for a MASCAC matchup with Lancers. The tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
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Berkshire Health System Blood Program Helps Shield County From National Shortage

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The American Red Cross declared its second national blood supply crisis in its history on Monday, but community members can breathe easy thanks to Berkshire Health System's blood donor program. 
 
Berkshire Medical System has always had a stationary donor center for autologous donations, which is no longer common practice, and had some O-negative blood on hand that it purchased from the Red Cross prior to having its own blood donor program, said Christine Amuso, blood donor coordinator.
 
Today, Berkshire Health System's blood donor program collects about 2,300 to 2,400 units of blood annually, all of which stays within Berkshire County to help keep local blood supplies stocked. 
 
In some years, the program has reached record collections of about 3,000 units.
 
"That [record has] only happened a couple of times since I've been employed with the program. So, we really have done wonders with the program," Amuso said. 
 
Donating blood through Berkshire Health System's program is accessible, with a donor center at the main campus and a mobile blood unit that travels throughout Berkshire County, including select Saturdays.
 
While appointments for blood donations are strongly encouraged, staff also intentionally leave scheduling gaps to accommodate additional donors who walk in without an appointment. 
 
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