Got a Few Minutes? Save a Life

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Summertime! If you needed reminding it came full force in the high-90s and full centenary readings we had in the past week. Summertime means hiking, camping, road trips – and accidents. The obdurately predictable nature of higher accident rates in the summer drives the need for one of our most precious resources reaches hard-to-sustain levels, regular as the seasons and the stars. Blood. 

Blood.

People lose it and need for it to be replaced. There are heroes who donate regularly – we read recently of Anna Williams of Hartsville, South Carolina, who has been donating blood with the American Red Cross since the 1970s.¹ She was recognized for donating her 100th unit of lifesaving blood. “I’m thankful to be able to donate,” she says. “The staff is always so kind – and my experience has always been rewarding.” 

Crossroads of Lakewood, a Southern Gables Selected Business Supporter, is sponsoring a blood drive on Thursday, July 31. The blood donation unit will be set up at the church at the corner of Jewell and Garrison, right next to our neighborhood. It couldn’t be easier. To sign up you can use the QR code on the right below, or call 1-800-733-2767. Use sponsor code CornerOfHope. 

According to the American Red Cross, “About 62% of the U.S. population is eligible to give blood but only about 3% donates. The American Red Cross must collect enough blood every day to meet the needs of accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those receiving treatment for leukemia, cancer or sickle cell disease.” ² 

It’s not hard to do. It doesn’t take long. It makes you feel good about yourself. Make an appointment. Call 1-800-733-2767. Use sponsor code CornerOfHope.

Photo at top by LuAnn Hunt on Unsplash. One pint of blood will save up to three lives!

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1. Donating blood is so, so important” redcross.org March 6, 2024
2. ibid.