Gibson Animal Clinic and Robbie Roberson Ford are co-sponsoring the September Community Blood Drive as the need for life-saving blood donations is extremely high.
The drive is 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday, September 22 at the Waycross Exchange Club Fairgrounds, 2401 Knight Ave.
“We appreciate two of our most loyal donors coming through for us again,”said Gary Griffin, a representative of the Waycross Area Blood Drive Volunteers. “Thanks to their generosity, nine of every 10 donors will at random take home a door prize.”
Most of the prizes will be cash. Other prizes include gift certificates from Captain Joe’s, Breezy’s Boutique and Sanders Honey Company.
“Captain Joe’s has a renewed interest in supporting us and we’re happy for their support,” Griffin said.
The Red Cross increasingly has leaned on Waycross, the most productive blood-giving community in Georgia, during times of a shortfall crisis in donorship. In July, two drives here yielded 137 units of donated blood. And at the August community drive, 102 units were collected, edging past the goal, which was 99.
“It’s a point of community pride that citizens from the area understand the need to make emergency blood available,” Griffin said. “So many folks nowadays haven’, I suppose, been educated to that fact.”
He said that less than three percent of people ever give blood during their lifetimes.
“We’re usually busiest early so if you want to donate while the wait times are bound to be shorter, come after noon,” Griffin said. “Of course, you can go online and make an appointment. Or just walk in, no appointment needed.”
