NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – Blood collection centers are asking people to donate blood ahead of the busy July 4 holiday travel weekend.
The Blood Connection is holding a Freedom Week promotion to increase blood donations ahead of the holiday. The organization will give donors $70 in rewards for their participation. Donation centers will open through Friday and mobile blood drives will take place until Thursday.
Donors can make an appointment online or walk in to a local clinic.
AAA estimates nearly 80 million Americans traveling over 50 miles for the holiday weekend. Blood Connection officials say hospitals see an increase in trauma cases because of travel during summer months. Organization officials are urgently needing more blood on the shelves for local hospitals to save lives.
Blood Connection President and CEO Delisa English urges the community to support hospitals during this time of need for blood donations.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services says blood donations help people who need transfusions which is one of the most common procedures in nationwide hospitals. The various kinds of blood transfusions including red blood cells, platelets, plasma and ‘whole blood’ can help people in the community as there is no substitute for blood.
“Unlike many of the other products used to treat trauma and other injuries, blood cannot be replaced through lab manufacturing or built on an assembly line,” English says. “Blood must be donated from volunteer donors, who embody the selflessness that is a staple of our nation.”
The donation center uses mixed-reality to make donation less intimidating this week during their mixed-reality tour. Donors visiting the North Charleston center will see Microsoft HoloLens 2 this week. Organization officials say the hands-free headsets give a garden experience with music to donors and increase the probability to donate again.
The technology tour will continue around state locations until Sept. 6.
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Blood donations urgently needed ahead of July 4 holiday
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