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Thirty-three employees of Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital joined forces to donate 33 units of blood at the employee blood drive on Jan. 25.

Each unit of blood, which is equal to slightly less than a pint, can be separated into the three life-saving components of red blood cells, platelets and plasma, according to Vitalant Representative Beverly Clark.

“When one person gives one unit of blood, you don’t realize you actually impact three lives. These 33 units are going to impact 99 lives,” Clark said.

Five technicians collected blood from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Initially, only three technicians were scheduled to work the blood drive, but the unexpected turnout required an increase in staff. Of the 37 that originally made the commitment to become donors, 33 were able to do so.

According to Clark, 16 of the 33 units were type O positive and three were type O negative, which are two widely used and nearly universal blood types.

Clark also said giving blood is important because hospitals can’t stay open without a proper supply.

“Our hospitals’ doors cannot stay open without blood. Blood is vital to life,” she said.

Donor Kate Crawford, a counselor at BWWMH, said, “It’s the right thing to do to help others, give back to people if you can.”

The entire Demopolis community can donate blood on Tuesday, Feb. 5 at the Demopolis City Civic Center from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The blood drive is hosted by the BWWMH Auxiliary, and appointments can be made by calling Carol Bell at 287-3000.

Vitalant is formerly known as United Blood Services, as well as 126 other nationwide blood donation centers that collectively became known as Vitalant in late 2018, and has been serving BWWMH for over 20 years.

(This article originally appeared in the Wednesday, January 30 issue of the Demopolis Times.)