Baldwin residents answering call during emergency blood drive

Combined reports
Posted 2/6/19

SUMMERDALE, Alabama — Baldwin County residents answered the call on Wednesday, Feb. 6 following an urgent call for blood donations at Baldwin EMC on Alabama 59 in Summerdale.“When we …

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Baldwin residents answering call during emergency blood drive

Posted

SUMMERDALE, Alabama — Baldwin County residents answered the call on Wednesday, Feb. 6 following an urgent call for blood donations at Baldwin EMC on Alabama 59 in Summerdale.
“When we heard from LifeSouth that they were down to three pints of blood in storage, I knew we had to help,” said Baldwin EMC Vice President of Corporate Services and Public Relations Mark Ingram in a press release issued Monday. “While our expertise, of course, is in providing electricity to our members, we do have a facility available for LifeSouth to set up and accept donations for the entire day. We’re hoping that members of the co-op and of the entire community will find time to stop by our training center on Highway 59 and donate. Just one pint can save up to three lives.”
Shortly after 8 a.m. on Wednesday, a steady stream of donors was already trickling in to the facility and officials with EMC and LifeSouth hoped to gain 60 pints of blood by the end of the day.
“Our goal is always to get 100,” said a LifeSouth representative Wednesday morning, “but if we get 50 to 60 by the end of the day that will go a long way toward saving lives in our area.”
LifeSouth Community Blood Centers was on site until 6 p.m. in the Baldwin EMC training center to take blood donations and officials stressed that the urgent need for blood in our area goes beyond Wednesday’s drive.
Everyone at least 17 years old, 110 pounds and in generally good health is invited to donate blood. All blood types are needed, and first-time donors are always welcome.
Wednesday’s drive included drawings for three grand prize drawings at the end of the day, courtesy of LifeSouth: a $100 Visa gift card, a 45-quart RTIC cooler, and a 50-inch Samsung Smart TV.
For more information about other blood donations opportunities in our area, visit lifesouth.org or call LifeSouth’s Mobile headquarters at 251-706-1470.
Information provided by Baldwin EMC with additional reporting by Onlooker co-editor John Underwood.