Groups plan blood drives

Though blood supply levels are not as dangerously low as they were in January, some local groups are playing host to the bloodmobile to help keep those levels from dropping that low again.

The bloodmobile will be in the parking lot of the Columbia County Department of Family and Children Services, 6358 Columbia Road, Appling, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday. This is the first time the department has held a blood drive for the Shepeard Community Blood Center, said Christina Ruetz, the department community resource specialist.

"This is the first time, but if we get a good response, we would like to start doing this annually," Ruetz said.

There is no substitute for blood. Whether a person loses blood from surgery or an injury or their body cannot produce enough, there is only one place to turn - volunteer blood donors.

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"Blood is no good unless it is on the shelves and ready to go," said Cindi Reeves, Shepard's community relations coordinator.

Stephanie Loyal, who was seriously injured in a head-on collision on Interstate 20 on Saturday is in just that position. She needs type O or AB-positive. Shepeard is completely out of O-positive and O-negative blood, Reeves said.

Trudy Rolland, Harlem High School Future Business Leaders of America adviser, is hoping the club's community service project - a Red Cross blood drive - will help Loyal in addition to others.

"We are trying to help her out," Rolland said. "Maybe some of this blood will go to her."

The bloodmobile will be in the parking lot of Harlem High School from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The school will also play host to another blood drive to benefit Shepeard from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 20, in the school's gym.

"It (donating blood) is a healthy thing to do. People do not realize that giving blood is very healthy for you. It circulates your blood and gets your red blood cells pumping and going," Reeves said. "People that have heart disease are strongly encouraged to donate blood."