VALDOSTA —
With blood banks traditionally low during the summer months, the local chapter of the American Red Cross seeks to combat shortages and avoidable deaths with an Independence Day blood drive.
The blood drive will be held at the organization’s donor center, located at 2517 Bemiss Road, and it will run from 9 a.m. till 2 p.m. on July 4.
Sponsors for the blood drive include WCTV, KFC and Pepsi, according to Dick Rockey of the American Red Cross. However, Rockey said the organization was still working to involve more organizations.
WCTV will raffle off four Atlanta Braves tickets, with seats in the 10th row on the Braves’ side, according to Rockey, and valet parking will be included for one vehicle.
KFC will contribute a limited number of vouchers for two-piece meals and Pepsi Co. said they will contribute some of their products to the drive as well, according to Rockey.
Summer travel and empty campuses are contributing to the shortages, according to Rockey. He said an insufficient supply at the state’s Douglasville bank often leads Georgia health care professionals to solicit out-of-state blood banks, which may be experiencing shortages of their own.
“The need for blood is constant — it’s always there,” said Rockey. “There’s no synthetic blood, only people. We’re not asking for money, just an hour of your time to donate one pint of blood.”
Citizens unable to attend the July 4 drive are encouraged to schedule an appointment for another time, according to Rockey. He also said those who’d like to expedite their visit at the July 4 blood drive are encouraged to set up an appointment as well, but walk-ins are welcome and generally take just an hour.
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