Blood supplies tend to fall during the summer and Houchin Blood Bank needs help getting through the lean months.
That's why KGET teamed with Houchin on Wednesday for the 6th annual community-wide blood drive.
It was a busy day for workers at 22nd and L Streets, as the mobile blood bank was parked and ready for people to roll up their sleeves.
Every summer, many regular blood donors are too busy to give blood or they head out of town. And, that means our local blood supply starts to dwindle.
To combat the problem, during the month of August, blood mobiles travel the county.
"This is a 20-day event. It runs from August 1st to August 20th, and anyone who donates over the 20 days has a chance to win a grand prize of a Disney vacation. We are giving away a $100 fuel card each day for 17 days, and we have a $250 gift card to Outdoor Galore," said Tracy Hunter, Houchin Community Blood Bank.
Ruby Willis started giving blood in 1982, and to date, she has donated two gallons.
"I've met people that get transfusions, and I didn't realize, I know how important it is, but I didn't realize how important it is for new babies, preemies. And, so it's helping a lot of people," said Willis.
People come out for various reasons, but in the end they help people in our community who are in dire need of blood.
Houchin Blood Bank takes all blood types, but there are certain ones that are in extra demand.
"Today we are really looking for O-, A-, and A+. So if you haven't been out in a while and you want to do something great for your community, come on out and fill up your summer because we really need O-, A-, and A+," said Hunter.
If you didn't make it on Wednesday, you can always donate at Houchin Blood Bank, and there are other drives across the county as well.
That's why KGET teamed with Houchin on Wednesday for the 6th annual community-wide blood drive.
It was a busy day for workers at 22nd and L Streets, as the mobile blood bank was parked and ready for people to roll up their sleeves.
Every summer, many regular blood donors are too busy to give blood or they head out of town. And, that means our local blood supply starts to dwindle.
To combat the problem, during the month of August, blood mobiles travel the county.
"This is a 20-day event. It runs from August 1st to August 20th, and anyone who donates over the 20 days has a chance to win a grand prize of a Disney vacation. We are giving away a $100 fuel card each day for 17 days, and we have a $250 gift card to Outdoor Galore," said Tracy Hunter, Houchin Community Blood Bank.
Ruby Willis started giving blood in 1982, and to date, she has donated two gallons.
"I've met people that get transfusions, and I didn't realize, I know how important it is, but I didn't realize how important it is for new babies, preemies. And, so it's helping a lot of people," said Willis.
People come out for various reasons, but in the end they help people in our community who are in dire need of blood.
Houchin Blood Bank takes all blood types, but there are certain ones that are in extra demand.
"Today we are really looking for O-, A-, and A+. So if you haven't been out in a while and you want to do something great for your community, come on out and fill up your summer because we really need O-, A-, and A+," said Hunter.
If you didn't make it on Wednesday, you can always donate at Houchin Blood Bank, and there are other drives across the county as well.