Blood drive helps storm victims - WALB.com, Albany News, Weather, Sports

Blood drive helps storm victims

  • More WALB News10 HeadlinesMore News Headlines

  • Saturday, May 25 2013 7:30 AM EDT2013-05-25 11:30:07 GMT
    Albany Engineer K. Bruce Maples, P. E. announced some road closures Thursday morning. Beginning at 6:00 A.M., Saturday, May 25, 2013, the following streets will be closed for the Spring Fest and SB
    Albany Engineer K. Bruce Maples, announced some road closures beginning at 6:00 A.M., Saturday, May 25, 2013, in downtown Albany.

  • Friday, May 24 2013 10:55 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:55:46 GMT
    Not going out of town for Memorial Day? Don't worry, the Albany Panthers want to make sure you have a good weekend as they host their first ever beer fest. You can sample more than 20 types of beer Saturday
    Not going out of town for Memorial Day? Don't worry, the Albany Panthers want to make sure you have a good weekend as they host their first ever beer fest.

  • Friday, May 24 2013 10:50 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:50:57 GMT
    The family of a Miller County woman is mourning tonight after GBI investigators say the 58 year old was murdered by her husband, before he took his own life. Now the family of Barbara Bass is speaking
    The family of a Miller County woman is mourning tonight after GBI investigators say the 58 year old was murdered by her husband, before he took his own life.
    •   

March 3, 2007

Albany -- The local American Red Cross Blood Bank sees an increased number of donors flowing in, many wanting to help injured tornado victims. The entire blood supply at Sumter Regional Hospital was destroyed in the storm, and good citizens want to see it replenished.

One young volunteer sponsors a blood drive to help storm victims and meet blood supply demands.

Not every 17-year-old would spend their Saturday doing this. Matt Swafford is volunteering at the Red Cross Blood Bank. He organized the blood drive as his Eagle Scout's project, and now that the storms have passed he clearly understands why it will make a difference.

"Americus lost all of their blood products, which was 50 units, right down the hole. That has to be replenished," said Matt Swafford.

Swafford wants to collect at least 80 pints of blood and at least 6 units of platelets, some of which will help both storm victims and sick patients in the area.

Donors say the pain is minimal, and the need is great.

"It's just a couple of needle sticks," said Julie Parslow.

That's why Julie Parslow comes regularly to donate both blood and platelets, whether disaster strikes or not.

"Rather than try to gather it when the crisis hits, you've already got it on hand, it makes it a lot easier," said Julie Parslow.

Helping others by donating is an easy choice for donors, who encourage others to come out.

"Everbody needs to do their part in it, and all it takes is just 30 minutes of your time. You know and you can help so many people. If everyone did that, we wouldn't be behind," said Richard Roe.

But blood banks workers say supplies in Albany are behind, and that's something Swafford wants to change. He says more donors should come in even if there's not a natural disaster.

"It's something that has to continue to happen for there to be a large scale effect," said Swafford.

The effects of the storm have left many patients throughout the region in need, but the efforts of each and every donor will make a difference.

The Albany Donor Center on Dawson Road extended their hours until 5 Saturday afternoon to help meet needs. The hours to donate on Monday through Wednesday of next week are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. On Thursday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Feedback: news@walb.com?subject=BloodDonations/NJ