America's biggest and longest blood drive began here in 2003. The Gift-of-Life Marathon, which bred community spirit, collaboration and goodwill in its early years at The Paramount Theatre, grew into a multi-site event that helped save thousands of lives. Thanks to incredible collaboration between organizers, The Paramount Theatre, other host sites, the American Red Cross and the greater-Rutland community, the Gift-of-Life Marathon set the national one-day record for a blood drive, collecting 2,350 life-giving pints on Dec. 17, 2013.