Blood donors needed now more than ever; donation event set for June 11

Blood donors are needed now more than ever.

Due to business and school closures, dozens of blood drives have been canceled since March, while fewer people are coming into blood centers and mobiles to donate. The need for blood products never stops, not even during a pandemic, so blood donors are needed to ensure local hospitals are fully stocked with lifesaving products for patients.

Shepeard Community Blood Center will be partnering with the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Augusta and the Children’s Hospital of Georgia from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, June 11, to host a summer blood drive. The Shepeard bloodmobile will be parked outside the Ronald McDonald House, 1442 Harper St. All donors will receive a free T-shirt and points to use in the Shepeard donor store.

When you donate with Shepeard, you are donating locally. Shepeard supplies the blood and blood products to more than 20 hospitals within the CSRA, including Augusta University Medical Center and Children’s. Donating blood during these difficult times is one way to help those living in your community. And the impact is real — just one donation can save up to three local lives.

To protect the health of Shepeard staff and blood donors, all donors are being asked to wear a mask during their donation time. Shepeard will also be following CDC recommendations in regard to social distancing, and all donors will get a health screening and temperature check before entering the bloodmobile.

All donors are asked to make an appointment to donate in order to save time and avoid overcrowding. To make an appointment, email Shanee White.