Red Cross announces day one results for third annual Columbia Lifesavers blood drive | Community Spirit

The American Red Cross wrapped up day one of the third annual Columbia Lifesavers blood drive with 223 donors presenting to give blood and 199 pints of blood collected. The drive will continue tomorrow from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. in the downstairs exhibit hall of the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center, 1101 Lincoln St., in the Vista.

Mayor Steve Benjamin, the City of Columbia and the American Red Cross South Carolina Blood Services Region Board of Directors have teamed up in an effort to help the Red Cross collect 500 pints of blood during the two-day event.

All presenting donors will receive a Red Cross T-shirt, a bag of coffee courtesy of Starbucks and the chance to win a $300 Walmart gift card.

The Columbia Lifesavers blood drive is open to the public, and walk-ins are welcome. The donation process from the time you arrive until the time you leave takes about an hour. The donation itself is only about 8-10 minutes on average. 

For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate, call Kimberly Reaves at 803-312-5609 or visit redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor code columbialifesavers.

The 2012 and 2011 events were both a great success, with 320 pints of blood collected on a goal of 300 in 2012 and 210 pints of blood collected on a goal of 200 in 2011. 

The Red Cross South Carolina Blood Services Region provides lifesaving blood to patients in 54 hospitals. Approximately 500 people need to give blood or platelets each week day to meet hospital demands.

Blood can be donated every 56 days. Platelets can be given every seven days, up to 24 times a year.

For more information, please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org.