The Westfield community of Oak Manor held its first ever blood drive, in cooperation with Versiti Blood Center of Indiana, on July 8. A total of 18 residents stepped up to donate blood, exceeding all expectations for the three-hour drive at the bloodmobile located at the community’s clubhouse.
Oak Manor Board member and Blood Drive Coordinator Sarah Soukup said, “Thank you to all who participated in our blood drive this week. We exceeded capacity! We had 18 donors. Of those donors, three were able to donate a double. So, we really gave 21 donations! For every donation, three lives can be saved. That means our Oak Manor Neighbors saved 63 lives. You are all heroes. You have given others another chance. I am so proud and grateful for our community!”
There is always a need for blood and blood products, but in light of the COVID pandemic, the need is far outrunning the supply.
Versiti Blood Center of Indiana is now part of the Versiti network, a non-profit research and blood products banking system.
Versiti operates a donation site in Carmel at 726 Adams St., Suite 150. For more information or to make an appointment to donate, call (317) 844-0313 or click here.