CSRA embarks on a border blood donation competition

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) -The battle between football fans is also happening off the field with Shepeard Community Blood Center’s Donation Domination blood drive.

The blood drive will take place Monday through Friday.

Each donor will get the chance to put a point towards Georgia or South Carolina, creating a chance for either team to also win off the field.

As of Wednesday evening, the totals stand at 717 for Georgia and 235 for South Carolina.

Benjamin Prijatel, CEO of Shepeard Blood Center, says “Georgia fans have extended their lead with another strong day of donations on both sides of the competition. These numbers represent the number of LOCAL lives affected by LOCAL blood donors. We are looking forward to a big finish on Thursday and Friday.”

Earlier this week, the American Red Cross declared a national blood shortage, asking the public to donate at their local centers.

“Blood centers across the country are now in a habitual shortage, we’re always just on a day or two supply of blood. Unfortunately, routinely, we cannot fill hospital orders to our local hospital. So we’re doing everything we can all the time to really remind people and bring attention to donating blood,” said Prijatel.

They are hoping their fans bring the same energy for their team towards giving back.

“You can show that your fans are the most passionate and you guys are really ready for the game this week,” said Prijatel.

With the big game coming up, its important to remember to donate blood.

“When there’s big events, or in summertime, people don’t come out to donate blood as much, because they’ve got other things going on and with a big game this week, that’s another one of those things that sometimes can interfere with people’s priorities to donate blood,” he said.

They are hoping to see a big crowd.

“The blood from this event is going to you know, of course all stay right here in our area. We support you know, Wellstar, we support Piedmont, we support Aiken Regional. So we’re, you know, the reason we’re doing this is so that we have blood here for our community for those who need it, and it’s available,” Prijatel said.

You never know who your donation could help.

“I think it’s a great way for at least our youth to learn the impact of their actions on the community, I mean, since you can start donating blood at 16. You can have kids coming from high school and start to realize what a difference that can make in our community,” said Shivum Lal, a donor.

Points will be tallied at the end of each day and posted on Facebook. The winner will be announced Friday night.

The Blood Drive Competition locations/dates:

Monday, Sept. 11

• Shepeard Augusta – 1533 Wrightsboro Road, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Shepeard Evans – 4329 Washington Road, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Shepeard Grovetown – 290 Meridian Drive, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Shepeard Dublin – 122 S Jefferson Street, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Aiken Regional Medical Center – 302 University Parkway, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 12

• Shepeard Augusta – 1533 Wrightsboro Road, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Shepeard Evans – 4329 Washington Road, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Shepeard Grovetown – 290 Meridian Drive, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Shepeard Aiken – 353 Fabian Drive, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Shepeard Dublin – 122 S Jefferson Street, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Barnwell Christian School – 5675 S.C. 70, 3 to 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 13

• Shepeard Augusta – 1533 Wrightsboro Road, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Shepeard Evans – 4329 Washington Road, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Shepeard Grovetown – 290 Meridian Drive, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Shepeard Aiken – 353 Fabian Drive, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Shepeard Dublin – 122 S Jefferson Street, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Morgan Stanley Wealth Management – 1 10th Street, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• AU Professional Building, 1481 Laney Walker Boulevard, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 14

• Shepeard Augusta – 1533 Wrightsboro Road, 8:30am-4:30pm
• Shepeard Evans – 4329 Washington Road, 8am-6pm
• Shepeard Grovetown – 290 Meridian Drive, 7am-4pm
• Shepeard Aiken – 353 Fabian Drive, 8:30am-4:30pm
• Shepeard Dublin – 122 S Jefferson St., 8:30am-4pm
• Columbia County EMA – 650 Ronald Reagan Drive, 10am-7pm

Friday, Sept. 15

• Shepeard Augusta – 1533 Wrightsboro Road, 8:30am-4:30pm
• Shepeard Evans – 4329 Washington Road, 8am-6pm
• Shepeard Grovetown – 290 Meridian Drive, 7am-4pm
• Shepeard Aiken – 353 Fabian Drive, 8:30am-4:30pm
• Shepeard Dublin – 122 S Jefferson St., 8:30am-4pm
• Bank of America – 1450 Walton Way, 10am-2pm
• Select Specialty Hospital, 1537 Walton Way, 3pm-6pm

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