Blood bank issues an urgent call for donors in the CSRA
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Shepeard Community Blood Center on Monday issued an emergency appeal – its first since 2022 – asking all eligible people to donate blood immediately.
It comes in response to a critical blood shortage.
“We are currently unable to fill orders from our local hospitals completely,” Shepeard CEO Benjamin Prijatel said, noting that all blood types and all blood components are needed.
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Summer is notorious for blood shortages.
Many regular donors are traveling or enjoying other summertime activities and may forget to schedule their regular blood donation appointment.
“Unfortunately, the need for blood doesn’t take a vacation,” Prijatel said.
Shepeard is not alone in its call for donors. Doctors from several local hospitals are ing the call in asking the community to roll up their sleeves.
Blood shortages can impact patient care. Often, it’s patients suffering from cancer or blood diseases like sickle cell anemia who are at most risk for having their treatments delayed. No medicine can substitute for the lifesaving power of human blood.
Dania Riddle has been donating blood since her little girl, Kate, was diagnosed with leukemia at two years old.
Kate is now 6 years old and is undergoing treatment.
She receives both blood and platelets regularly.
“They check her counts every few weeks just to make sure her counts are okay and then
they determine if she needs a transfusion and where she’s at,” said Dania.
Little did Dania know; that she would get to meet one of Kate’s donors.
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Madeline Tanner, donor, said: “I’m very happy it went to her. I was able to donate blood and it went to such a good cause. I feel like it was very nice to know it was going somewhere good.”
This was actually Tanner’s first blood donation ever.
She says seeing Kate made all the difference.
“It’s definitely a hard thing to have to go through, but I feel like with the doctors that we have and the donations we get through other people, it will be very generous of people to donate and for it to go to a good little child,” said Tanner.
You’re helping patients not only like Kate but like 13-year-old Kaleigh who has sickle cell disease.
She had about five blood transfusions just last year.
Dawn Jones, Kaleigh’s mom, said: “To be at a point when we come into the hospital and her blood cell count is 23,000 is extremely low. I mean my kid could’ve been walking dead. I’m thankful, I’m grateful for those people that donate, that give. Thank you, we appreciate it.”
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And this would not have been possible without constant donors — something Dania says is always needed.
Dania said: “Please donate, it’s very important for all the patients locally here at the hospitals.”
Again, your donation stays local.
This week, Shepeard is operating under extended hours at all donor centers, including Aiken, Augusta, Evans, and Grovetown.
People can donate blood this week from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at these centers.
Several mobile drives have also been scheduled in surrounding communities.
A complete list of those can be found at shepeardblood.org.
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