The Blood Connection, Local Hospitals Encourage ‘Sharing Life’ This Holiday Season

Press Release

While many are busy this holiday season making last minute gift purchases for loved ones, The Blood Connection (TBC) and local hospitals in the Lowcountry are urging community members to fit sharing the gift of life into their schedules by making an appointment to donate blood.

As the primary provider of blood products for Lowcountry hospitals, including the Roper St. Francis Healthcare, Trident Health System, and MUSC, TBC relies on community blood donors to ensure there is an adequate and stable blood supply to treat patients in need.  Hospitals report the demand for blood increases over the holiday season, with more people traveling, leading to more traumas.  An increased need, coupled with lower donor turnout over the holidays, makes the need for blood donors of all blood types even more critical.  The demand is highest for O-negative and O-positive blood types.

“During the season of giving, we encourage anyone who is considering giving blood, if you have any questions about it, please reach out to The Blood Connection and find a local blood drive. That is the one thing we can all do to help save lives.” – Jodell Jenkins, Executive Director of Cardiovascular Services, Trident Medical Center.

The need for blood is constant and does not cease during the holiday season.  While many people enjoy time with family and friends, many others are in hospitals and treatment centers, where blood products are crucial to their survival. Blood products cannot be manufactured, and local blood donors are essential to helping save lives this holiday season.  The way the community responds to this urgent plea will directly affect area hospitals and their patients for the next several months.

“Please consider giving blood this Christmas season. Please reach out and try and help somebody else through the gift of blood donation.” – Dr. John McEvoy, Director of Pathology, Roper Hospital.

The Blood Connection has partnered with The City of Charleston as well as the Hilton Garden Inn Charleston Waterfront/Downtown for a holiday blood drive on December 22^nd to make sure Lowcountry hospitals are stocked with life-saving blood products over the holidays. All blood donors will receive a $20 eGift card and an exclusive holiday t-shirt (while supplies last) as a thank you for their donation and will also be entered into a raffle for an “evening out” gift basket. Please consider making an appointment at thebloodconnection.org/charlestongives.

There are plenty of other opportunities to donate blood next week. The Charleston RiverDogs will have a blood drive at Joseph P. Riley, Jr. Park on December 23^rd. Trident Medical and Summerville Medical are both hosting blood drives the morning of Christmas Eve. All of these blood drive fall within TBC’s annual holiday blood drive week when all donors receive the $20 eGift card and holiday t-shirt. Visit thebloodconnection.org/chs to make an appointment at our donation center (5870 Core Road).

The urgent need for blood during the holiday season does not end the week of Christmas, but continues especially into the week following, as people prepare to ring in the new year.  That is why The Blood Connection is urging all community members who are healthy and well to give the ultimate gift this year, by making an appointment to donate blood and save local lives in the community.  Interested donors can go to thebloodconnection.org/donate to find a donation center or mobile blood drive convenient to them.  The Blood Connection is also looking for community organizations, businesses, and groups to partner with TBC to host blood drives.  For more information on hosting a drive, go to thebloodconnection.org/donors/host-a-drive/.

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