TEMPLE, TX — Earlier this week, Baylor Scott & White Blood Center - Temple announced a critical need for blood donations.
Since Central Texas News Now announced the need for donations, they have received a tremendous amount of support from the community.
When the summer time rolls around, people are out and about and a lot of them are traveling. Representatives from Baylor Scott & White Blood Center- Temple said that means community members are often not readily available to donate blood.
"Typically, summer donations are very much so needed. This summer is no exception, and it's because people like to travel more often, and so we're getting fewer donations. However, blood usage stays the same and at times, it's used more often during the summer," said Tiya Searcy, Marketing and Public Relations Consultant with the medical center.
This weekend marked the hospital's first Saturday parking lot blood drive.
"We have been asked for this, as people are usually at work during the week. So no, we're going to be doing this blood drive every other Saturday," said Searcy.
And donors shared they were happy to stop by and give back.
"Personally no one in my family's had a transfusion to date that I'm aware of, but I've seen it happen to many and I know it can be of good benefit," said Anshuk Kakria, who stopped by after spotting the mobile blood drive.
"If you're scared of needles, it lasts about a second. Just look away and you're good to go," added Todd Thomas, who also donated.
Representatives from the blood center hope it will make quite the difference as they prepare for possible summer related traumas.
"After our first story with your station, we received a tremendous amount of support from our community which has been great. However, you know the need for blood does not stop, unfortunately. And luckily, we have started this Saturday blood drive," said Searcy.
According to the medical center, all blood donations go toward helping the community. For more information, visit www.bswblood.com.
