AU Health & Shepeard Community Blood Center host mobile blood drives to combat local shortage

By Chris Rickerson | Staff writer

Augusta University Health and Shepeard Community Blood Center partnered together and hosted an event the week of Jan. 10-14 to help end the critical blood shortage in the local community.

The mobile drives were brought to different areas in town including the Oak Hall Dorms on the Health Sciences Campus, the Georgia Cancer Center and the Children's Hospital of Georgia.

Many donors lined up to give blood and some even donated for their first time.

“This is my first time,” said Summer Jefferson, a student at Georgia Medical College. “It’s been mentioned to us multiple times as students how low the blood supply is right now and were really close to being out of blood completely, so that kind of compelled me to come and donate.”

Elizabeth Snyder, another donor and a student a Georgia Medical College, said blood donation is super important to her, especially during this time.

“It cost you nothing but a little bit of time,” she said. “It really could be you in a car accident and I think the past two year has really emphasized how important is to do what we can to support the medical network. It’s important we keep these resources available for people who need them.”

The Shepeard Community Blood Center right now is need of blood donations, some due to a rise in COVID-19 cases. There is not just a local blood shortage, but a national blood shortage due to the pandemic. According to the American Red Cross, there has been a 10 percent drop in the number of people donating blood and the pandemic has caused a 62 percent drop in blood drives at schools and colleges.

“The hesitation to come out in public due to COVID and there is a national blood shortage, so it is happening everywhere,” said Shanee White, a recruitment specialist for Shepeard Community Blood Center. “It is very concerning because people are not able to get the life saving blood they need if donors are not coming out, so that could be life or death for many different people.”

More blood drives are planned to be held around the local area and Shepeard Blood Center encourages more people to come out and donate.

“Learn more about blood donation, get active with your local blood center Shepeard and learn about where were going to be and actually try to go through the process because some people think it is one way and when you get here, it is a lot easier and smoother than you would imagine,” said White.

Those interested can also donate by visiting www.shepeardblood.org to schedule a blood donation or you can walk in to on their local clinics during operating hours. Photo ID is required to donate.

The pandemic has increased the need for blood donations of all blood types. At top of page, the Shepeard Community Blood Center bus was parked outside of the Children’s Hospital of Georgia Jan. 14. (photos by Chris Rickerson)

Contact Chris Rickerson at crickerson@augusta.edu.