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Velma Pratt of Wadesboro says she donates blood as often as she can to the American Red Cross's monthly blood drives at First Presbyterian Church. She is shown here donating with assistance from Laquanda Gladden.
The Red Cross fell just short of its collection goal for the blood drive held Wednesday, July 22, at First Presbyterian Church in Wadesboro.
The goal was 40 units but 36 were collected, team supervisor Melanie McKenzie said.
The drive lasted from 1:30-6 p.m. More donors came in as the day went along.
"There was a bit of a rush around 4 p.m.," she said.
Most of the collections come from regular donors like Velma Pratt.
"Every time they have it I try to be here," the Wadesboro citizen said.
A pint of blood can be used to save up to three lives, by separating it into three parts: the platelets, plasma and red blood cells.
A person in an automobile accident may need up to 100 pints of blood while a heart surgery might require 10 pints, Judy Duston, the director of blood services for the Union County chapter, said in January.
The Red Cross holds a blood drive at the church each month. The Red Cross may be reached at 704-694-3514.