AMERICUS — Blood drive offers easy opportunity to save lives

With the sixth annual Josh Willis Memorial Blood Drive just around the corner, it is important for local citizens to remember not only how important giving blood can be, but also just how easy it really is.

Just like Willis, many people are nervous about giving blood and being poked with a needle or passing out, but just as he learned, there is really nothing to worry about at all. After giving blood for the first time the December before his accident, Willis vowed to give blood as much as he could for the rest of his life after seeing how such an easy task can have such a huge impact on those in need.

Making an appointment to give blood is as easy as picking up the phone and making a quick call to the American Red Cross, or simply logging on to redcrossblood.org and entering the sponsor code PSMC. It only takes a few minutes to make an appointment to give one of the most valuable and needed gifts on earth. Making an appointment normally takes only a few minutes, but it can make a lifetime of difference for someone in need.

Potential givers may be worried that they will not be able to stand the pain from the needle, or that they may get nauseated from the sight of blood. However, after only one small poke from a highly trained nurse, the pain of giving blood is done. Many first-time givers have echoed the statement that giving blood wasn’t as difficult as they originally thought it would be. Givers are always surrounded by the best nurses in the area who have extensive training in taking blood. After giving blood, participants receive a snack and a drink to help replenish the body, and before long they’re are back to functioning just as they were before donating.

Giving blood is one of the most important gifts that citizens can do to help save lives across the country. It normally only takes a few minutes. The ability to give blood is already a valuable opportunity, and the ability to give in honor of a tremendous young man who gave the gift of life himself is even more magnificent.

The blood drive will be held from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday at Americus First Baptist Church on South Lee Street. Donors can call 229-924-2026 or go online at redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code PSMC to make an appointment.