Special to the WJH
Organizers hope Monday’s arrival of fall and the possibility of milder weather might equate to additional blood donors for the monthly Waycross Community BloodDrive.
“Officially, fall will only be a few hours old on September 23, and, honestly, we could well have another hot, humid day. But just knowing fall temps are on the way sounds pretty good to me,” said Gary Griffin, a Waycross Area Blood Drive Volunteer. “And it’s a safe bet that some donors take the summer off from giving because it’s too doggone hot!”
Monday’s drive will be 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at at the Waycross Exchange Club Fairgrounds, 2401 Knight Avenue.
First Southern Bank and Robbie Roberson Ford will be corporate sponsors for Monday’s effort.
“Two of our tried and true corporate sponsors have teamed up to furnish us with plenty of door prize cash,” Griffin said. “The odds of winning should be about 3 to 1 based on 100 donors.”
All donors at Monday’s drive will be gifted with a $15 e-gift card, courtesy of the Red Cross. There are other prizes as well.
“Somebody will take home the grand $100 prize, and there will be hundreds of dollars worth of other cash prizes, too,” Griffin said. “Also Jerry J’s, Captain Joe’s and Breezy’s Boutique will give away gift cards.”
After giving blood, attendees enjoy refreshments contributed by Domino’s Pizza, Waycross Coca-Cola (fruit juices and water), the Red Cross (snacks) and the Waycross Area Blood Drive Volunteers (doughnuts and pastries).
Life-saving blood is at a premium. Less than three percent of the American population ever give blood, although in the Southern U.S. participation is slightly higher. Every two seconds, someone somewhere needs blood.
Griffin said he’s hopeful an autumn state of mind will help put folks in a “giving” mood.
“Not to mention, it’s the right thing to do ... plus there’s this matter of a nationwide blood shortage,” he said.
Appointments to donate are available by visiting RedCrossBlood.org and entering Waycross.
“Our biggest crowds are generally early in the day, so you might get in and out quicker if you plan to come around 2 p.m. or later,” Griffin said.
