The need for donated blood remains great as the monthly Waycross Community Blood Drive approaches from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, August 26, at the Waycross Exchange Club Fairgrounds, 2401 Knight Avenue.
While nationally blood donations are way down, locally the summer months drives have been well attended, said Gary Griffin, a member of the Waycross Area Blood Drive Volunteers.
“We have some momentum as three of our last four drives we’ve hit the triple digit mark,” he said. “I can explain it but as a rule productivity drops in the summertime. Yet we had 121 pints donated in June and 100 in July. I guess people in south Georgia are just wired differently. It seems we understand the importance of giving blood, especially when the need grows urgent.”
The Red Cross reports that nationally a year-long shortage in the emergency blood supply has worsened during the late spring and summer. Apathy is a big concern, plus natural disasters have made things even worse.
“Hurricane Debby canceled many, many blood drives all over the South and the Eastern Seaboard,” Griffin said. “The Offerman-Patterson blood drive was one of them, and that’s usually a very productive drive. Hopefully, folks who normally give blood there will drive to Waycross Monday to donate.”
To schedule an appointment, visit Red-CrossBlood.org and enter: Waycross (walkins are always welcomed, no appointment needed).
“As a rule, the shorter wait times are between 1 and 6 p.m.,” said Griffin.
This month the Red Cross is giving all donors a $20 Amazon gift card that will be transmitted via email.
“Miles-Odum Funeral Home is our monthly corporate sponsor,” Griffin said, “and because of their generosity we will give away hundreds of dollars at random.”
The top prize is $100, plus dozens of $20 and $10 door prizes.
Donors also at random will win gift cards and prizes from Captain Joe’s, Breezy’s Boutique, Helping Hands Home Health and Jerry J’s.
