New Year, New Life: Red Cross in Need of Blood

“He had an infectious smile. Kenny had a heart of gold he loved to help people,” Wolfe tells ABC Columbia.

In honor of her son, Traci is donating blood for the first time.

She says,”We all want to do our part. By giving an hour, hour and a half of your time you make a difference. It’s that little small speck of a bigger picture.”

Krystal Overmyer with the American Red Cross explains that donating blood is particularly important in winter months when donations typically sag.

“The need is constant. Every two seconds someone in the U.S.needs blood and that doesn’t change no matter the time of year,” Overmyer explains.

That’s why ABC Columbia and the American Red Cross are asking Midlands residents to kick off 2016  by giving the gift of life at the New Year’s blood drive.

“Drives that are out in our community comprise 80% of our blood collections. We need in South Carolina about 500 people each day to come forward and give blood in order to meet the demands of about 50 hospitals in the state,” says Overmyer.

With each pint of blood saving up to three lives, Traci says it’s a worthy way to honor her son.

“You know, Kenny’s gone. There’s nothing that’s going to bring him back but by donating blood I hopefully can help save another son or daughter.”

The blood drive will be on January 5th from 7a.m. to 7p.m. at PLEX Indoor Sports at the Village at Sandhill.