Singing River Health System, Blood Center partner with Gulfport organizations to host blood drive

GULFPORT, Miss. (WXXV)- Singing River Health System and the Blood Center have partnered with several Gulfport community organizations to host a two-day blood drive this week at the Gulfport Train Depot.

With a national blood shortage continuing to impact communities across the nation, health care officials are encouraging residents to roll up their sleeves and donate.

The mobile drive took place Wednesday and returns Thursday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., helping ensure hospitals have the blood needed for surgeries, trauma care, and other emergencies.

Local doctors say just one unit of donated blood can help save up to three lives, making every donation count. SRHS Outreach and Events Manager Kelly Devine said, “We host our annual blood drives at each of our hospitals every year at Singing River but people can’t always get a way to donate their blood. If they have a short lunch break, or if it’s a longer commute for them if they work somewhere. To combat that need we decided to bring the unit to people this year. So, we’re trying it out in downtown Gulfport to see how it goes and we’re involving some of our community partners. Especially some of our local civic organizations like Gulfport Rotary, Gulfport Kiwanis, the City of Gulfport, Gulfport Main Street Association, just some of the organizations that are very involved in the development downtown and city events. They’ve all been great community partners and we’ve got lots of people registered to come out and donate over the next two days. We’re really excited about this new opportunity and trying something different to combat our blood shortage.”

Those who donate may also be eligible to receive a gift card and a free t-shirt.