Marsh Regional Blood Center is spreading the love to the region’s four-legged friends, with its annual Pints for Paws blood drive.
From Feb. 5-9, anyone who donates blood or platelets at one of Marsh Regional’s three blood centers will have the opportunity to also support local animal shelters and rescue groups. For every blood donation collected, Marsh Regional will donate $10 to the donor’s shelter or other animal support group of choice.
“Pints for Paws is one of our favorite drives of the year because it gives our donors a chance to not only support their community, but also the animals in our region who are also in need,” said Steffanie Sukel, director of Marsh Regional. “We know our donors have big hearts for animals, and this event is the perfect opportunity to spread the love to our local animal shelters and rescue groups.”
To participate in the Pints for Paws blood drive, donors can give blood during the normal operating hours at Marsh Regional’s donation centers in Bristol, Kingsport and Johnson City. Prior to donating, donors will be asked to select the shelter or rescue group of their choice. Donations will be made to Appalachian Highlands Humane Society, The Bridge No Kill Animal Shelter, Bristol Va. Animal Care and Control, City of Bristol Tenn. Animal Control, Frank Feline and Rescue, Greeneville-Greene County Humane Society, Hawkins County Animal Shelter, Holly Help Spay and Neuter, Paws of Southwest Virginia, Petworks, Scott County Animal Shelter, Sullivan County Animal Shelter, Unicoi Animal Shelter, Washington County Animal Shelter, Rescue Dog and End of Life Sanctuary and Elizabethton-Carter County Animal Shelter. Donors can also opt to write-in a non-profit, animal support group of their choice.
After donating, donors will receive a Marsh Regional long-sleeved donor shirt and a sticker, as well as a snack. Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins will also be accommodated.
“Donating blood is a selfless act anyway, and the Pints for Paws blood drive is the perfect opportunity to extend their generosity just a little further,” Sukel said. “In addition to saving up to three lives by donating blood, our donors will also be giving some love to our region’s furry friends.”
Pints for Paws will take place at Marsh Regional’s collection centers: 111 W. Stone Drive, Suite 300, Kingsport, 2428 Knob Creek Road, Johnson City and 1996 W. State St., Bristol. All centers are open Monday and Thursday from 10:30 a.m.-6 p.m. and Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Additionally, Marsh Regionals collection centers in Bristol and Kingsport are open from 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. on Saturday and the Kingsport location is open from noon-4 p.m. on Sunday.
Interested donors can call the donation center they wish to visit to make a blood donation appointment: Kingsport 423-408-7500; Bristol 423-652-0014; or Johnson City 423-282-7090.
Blood collected by Marsh Regional stays within the Appalachian Highlands to help local patients. Marsh Regional is the sole provider of blood and blood products for the region’s 20 medical facilities, all the region’s cancer centers and fire air rescue bases across Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky. Blood donations benefit trauma patients as well as patients who need a regular supply of blood and blood products, such as patients in treatment for cancer or those with blood disorders.
To give blood, donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. People with a cold, sore throat, fever, flu or fever blisters or who are taking antibiotics may not donate. Donors should eat a balanced meal before giving blood.
In addition to the Pints for Paws blood drives, Marsh Regional will host blood drives across the Appalachian Highlands throughout February and March. Interested donors can visit www.marshblood.com to find a mobile drive near them or schedule a blood drive.
