Big Success at WestGate; Another Blood Drive This Weekend

Thanks a million to all of you who gave your support to the “Jail Cells for Blood Cells” blood drive at WestGate Mall this past Saturday 8/15.  You’ll find pictures in my Facebook photo album.

Piedmont Blood Center spokesperson Andrea Wall tells me 65 usable units of blood were collected, including one from me.

I consider myself blessed greatly to be able to share this gift of life.

Wall called Saturday “a great day.“  She attributes it to community support from donors, the mall, the media and other sponsors.

And what made it even greater was that 90 people tried to donate.  That means 25 potential donors had to be turned away for various reasons, but at least they tried, and to me, that’s impressive.  Other people made cash donations, volunteered or gave help in other ways.

There is another blood drive this Saturday 8/22 at the blood center’s main office on Dunbar Street in downtown Spartanburg.  It lasts from 9 am - 3 pm.

Donors of all blood types are needed, but there will be special emphasis on attracting O-Positive and O-Negative donors (O-Negative is the universal donor, especially valuable because anyone can receive O-Negative blood).

Andrea Wall tells me 37 percent of Americans have blood type O-Positive.  Thirty-five percent are A-Positive.

Only seven percent have O-Negative blood.

I can’t donate again for 56 days.

Perhaps you have the opportunity to give now.