In this season of giving, some gifts are more precious than others.
Mississippi Blood Services collected 27 pints of blood during a Clarksdale Chamber of Commerce holiday blood drive at the Clarksdale Civic Auditorium Thursday.
Thirty-four individuals registered to give blood at the drive, but several were deferred for various reasons.
MBS had a trailer in the Clarksdale Civic Auditorium back parking lot for anyone interested in donating blood. The goal going into the blood drive was 60 blood donors and rain hindered the turnout, but Chamber leadership was upbeat.
“We at the chamber, city and county were so pleased to host a blood drive for the Mississippi Blood Services last Thursday, Dec. 3,” said Chamber Executive Jon Levingston. “We are very aware of the need to help our fellow citizens throughout the state during this difficult time and wanted to do our part in accomplishing that task.
“I am thankful for the great support of the city and county governments in helping to promote the drive and to the many generous citizens who turned out to unselfishly donate their blood,” Levingston added. “I am sure lives will be saved as a result of this effort. We look forward to hosting another blood drive in 2021.”
Levingston himself capitalized on that opportunity to donate a pint of blood.
Levingston said there is typically a blood shortage during the holidays and he was glad to have the blood drive to help alleviate the shortage.
The Chamber also handed out a free $15 Visa gift card to every donor. He urged donors to shop in local stores or buy something for a needy person with the card.
Levingston stressed the importance of donating during the COVID pandemic.
“With the pandemic surge taking place in the state, our hospitals are filling up,” he said. “They do need blood and we want to help contribute to that. The Chamber and the Economic Development Authority of Coahoma County are partnering with the city of Clarksdale and Coahoma County to host this blood drive for the Mississippi Blood Services.”
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