Find a Blood Drive
Find a Blood Drive
More than 100 donors gave blood at the 10th Annual Virginia Tech Memorial Drive
WINCHESTER, Va. – Hosted by the American Red Cross and the Shenandoah Chapter of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association, the 10th Annual Virginia Tech Memorial drive saw dozens of donors and collected a total of 81 pints of blood – enough to save as many as 243 lives.
Ten years ago, the Virginia Tech Massacre became the deadliest shooting in U.S. history. A total of 32 students and faculty were killed that day. An example of one of the many ways the victims have been remembered by loved ones and community, the Virginia Tech Alumni Association’s Shenandoah chapter hosts an annual blood drive.
Donors received commemorative t-shirts and refreshments provided by the Pleasant Valley Road and Rutherford Crossing Chick-fil-A locations. The support of community members, and alumni and their families was practically overwhelming.
“We are so pleased by the turnout and honored to be a part of this,” said Regina Boothe Bratton, External Communications Manager at the Red Cross in Baltimore.
“The need for blood and blood products is constant and great. The Red Cross must collect 14,000 units of blood every day to meet the needs of more than 2,600 hospitals. What an incredible way of honoring the victims of Virginia Tech by giving back to help save lives,” said Boothe Bratton.
“Eligible donors who are type O negative were encouraged to donate as well as donors with type AB blood were urged to donate plasma; as there is a critical need right now for those universal blood products,” Boothe Bratton added.
According to the National Trauma Institute, trauma accounts for approximately 41 million emergency department visits and 2.3 million hospital admissions in the U.S. annually.
“A single car accident victim can need as many as 100 units of blood,” said Nick Gehrig, communications director, Red Cross Blood Services. “In trauma situations, when there’s no time to check a patient’s blood type, emergency personnel reach for type O negative red blood cells and type AB plasma.”
“The Winchester community answered the call,” Boothe Bratton added. “We are so thankful for the generous donors and volunteers – the heroes - who make our lifesaving work possible.”
Eligible donors are urged to partner with the American Red Cross. Make an appointment to donate at http://www.redcrossblood.org. Enter your zip code and find a drive or donation center near you. Again, a single donation could save more than one life. If you cannot donate blood, join us and become a volunteer at http://www.redcrossblood.org/volunteer. The Red Cross could not fulfill its lifesaving mission without its generous donors and volunteers.