We are a Community in Southeast NC, called Eagle’s Watch. We are no strangers to hurricanes and set up this virtual blood drive to support our neighbors in Western NC, still suffering from the impacts of Hurricane Helene. This drive is virtual, so please spread the word, anyone anywhere in the U.S., can contribute by signing up for their local community drive.

The Red Cross provides about 40% of our nation’s blood and blood components, all from volunteer donors, in addition to supplying disaster relief across the country to those in need. But supply can’t always meet demand because only about 3% of age-eligible people donate blood yearly. Each new donor can save a person’s life. Some facts about giving blood:

~ Your blood draw will take approximately 10 minutes for whole blood donation.
~ Each year, an estimated 6.8 million people in the U.S. donate blood.
~ 13.6 million units of whole blood and red blood cells are collected in the U.S. in a year.
~ Because only 7% of people in the U.S. are type O negative, it’s always in great demand and often in short supply.
~ Type AB plasma can be transfused to patients of all blood types. Only 4% of people in the U.S. have this type of plasma.
~ Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood.
~ Blood donations are essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries.

To determine your eligibility to give blood, find a local drive near you, or learn more that you can do to support the victims of Helene, visit https://www.redcrossblood.org/