In case you were unable to give blood at the last blood drive I told you about, here’s another chance:
“Count on WIS” Blood Drive at Four Locations on One Day
Columbia, S.C. — The American Red Cross and WIS News 10 invite blood donors to become a hero for patients in need this summer by giving the “gift of life” at the “Count on WIS” blood drive Friday, Aug. 5. The event kicks off at 7 a.m. at the WIS studios on the corner of Bull and Gervais Streets. At 10 a.m., the Red Cross will start collecting blood at the following three other sites:
Dutch Square Center
421 Bush River Road, Columbia
Village at Sandhill
Community Room (near JC Penney)
499 Town Center Place, Columbia
Sumter Mall
1057 Broad St., Sumter
The blood drive ends at 6 p.m. at all four sites. To schedule an appointment, visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code: WIS or call 1-800-RED CROSS (733-2767). Walk-ins are welcome.
All presenting donors will have a chance to win lunch with members of the WIS News 10 team plus attend a live noon broadcast at theWIS studios. In addition, donors will also receive a Red Cross T-shirt and an Edible Arrangements coupon for a free box of six pieces of chocolate dipped fruit. Donors will also be entered in a drawing for a chance to win one of four T-shirts signed by WIS personalities.
The radio stations of Citadel Broadcasting in Columbia and Miller Communications in Sumter have partnered with the Red Cross and WISas co-sponsors of the blood drive.
The “Count on WIS” blood drive comes at an ideal time to boost blood donations as it is often difficult to collect enough blood to meet the needs of patients during the summer months. With schools out and families on vacation, it’s even more important that those who are eligible to donate come forward to give the gift of life.
In addition, the American Red Cross has issued an appeal for blood donors of all types due to a critical blood shortage across our nation. In May and June, while demand for blood products remained steady, donations were at the lowest level the Red Cross has seen during this timeframe in over a dozen years.
Because of that, the Red Cross needs blood donors now more than ever. All types are needed, but especially O negative, which can be used to treat any patient.
The American Red Cross South Carolina Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to 54 hospitals and must have 500 people give blood and platelets each weekday to meet hospital demand. Accident victims as well as patients with cancer, sickle cell disease, blood disorders and other illnesses receive lifesaving transfusions every day. There is no substitute for blood and volunteer donors are the only source.
Blood can be safely donated every 56 days. Platelets can be given safely every two weeks, up to 24 times a year. Most healthy people age 17 and older, 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood and platelets. Donors who are 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements.
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