Dorchester, MA International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 103 (IBEW 103) and their partners at the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) hosted the seventh annual blood drive and wellness event at the IBEW Local 103 Union Hall. The event supports IBEW 103’s goal to become Boston’s “Healthiest Union.”

“The IBEW 103 annual Blood Drive and Wellness event is a great opportunity for our members to stay fit for work and give back to the community,” Lou Antonellis, business manager of IBEW 103 said. “This time of year, around the anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing, we are reminded how important it is to donate blood. The Red Cross is always in need of more donors and at IBEW 103 we are proud to answer the call.”

The event included routine health screenings that could uncover risk factors for chronic diseases. Since time spent at a doctor’s office often means unpaid time off the job, the event offers the convenience of completing these screenings at the union hall. The screenings included blood pressure, cholesterol, body mass index, melanoma and hearing exams.

The event also serves as an important opportunity for members to give back through blood donation. The American Red Cross estimates that 38% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood at any given time, but less than 10% of that eligible population actually do each year.

For more information on the innovative programs and charitable activities of IBEW 103, please visit http://the103advantage.com/. 

Additional information about NECA of Greater Boston can be found at: http://www.bostonneca.org.