This summer, the American Red Cross and Beckley Fire Department invite you to “Do Good, Feel Good and Help others.”
Save a life by donating blood, platelets or plasma. Schedule your appointment today; you even get new swag for giving.
“We get emails all the time saying how there is a shortage,” said Captain Chris Graham.
“There’s accidents every day, there’s surgeries every day and people need that blood to make it through those things. So we just want to do our best to try to help out.”
According to the captain, their goal for the day was 15 units of blood. They surpassed that, collecting 18 units.
Beckley resident Sheila Johnson first donated blood in 2006 and has been on this journey ever since. She says it was a simple and easy way to give back, and she loves getting feedback from the app about her blood.
“Says where it went,” Johnson said. That’s really fun to know that it went somewhere and actually helped someone.”
Beckley Fire Department Station 3 has collaborated with the Red Cross for the past four years on these blood drives. Graham says while you’ll never know exactly who you’ve helped…
“Maybe an age group or where it was used, (the app) gives you an idea of the impact you make, and that’s what it’s all about — just making a positive impact on our country,” said the captain.
Many people with medical conditions might need a unit of blood. You can do a rapid pass on the blood donor app.
“Go through all the questions and answer ‘em and they’ll let you know if you can donate or not,” Graham said. “People who’ve had chemo might have to wait a year or two, but it’s just one of those things — if you can and you’re healthy enough, please donate.”
The captain has been donating since high school with several friends and those close to him needing regular transfusions.
“You know, we see so many people in accidents and tragedies happen around Beckley,” said Graham. “And it’s just nice to know that you can maybe do something like this to impact their life in a positive way.”
