Help save lives with on-campus blood drive next week

Shepeard Community Blood Center is coming back to the Augusta University campus.

The Shepeard Bloodmobile will be accepting donors in the parking lot near the Ronald McDonald House of Augusta, 1442 Harper St., from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 29. While supplies last, donors will receive a T-shirt from previous months’ events. Walk-ins are welcome, but those interested may schedule an appointment online or call 706-737-4551.

Also, donors will have the opportunity to learn about the “Thank the Donor” program. Those interested in participating may also answer pre-screening questions virtually.

Photo ID and face coverings are required to participate. Shepeard will also follow CDC recommendations regarding social distancing, and all donors will be screened and temperature checked before donating.

Shepeard supplies the blood and blood products to more than 20 hospitals within the CSRA, including the Augusta University Medical Center and the Children’s Hospital of Georgia. 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. AU Health received 16,061 units of blood from Shepeard Blood Center last year, saving approximately 48,183 lives.