MEDIC Regional Blood Center Partners with Dollywood to Encourage More Donors
The MEDIC Regional Blood Center has partnered with popular tourist attraction, Dollywood, in an initiative to boost blood donations. The program celebrates those who donate blood and help save lives. The initiative will run from July 15 to July 19.
Appointment-Based Donations
The blood donation sessions under this initiative will be only for those who have booked appointments. This decision is intended to manage the high demand expected from the initiative. To maintain order and efficiency, MEDIC will not be accepting walk-in donors.
Donors intending to participate can make appointments via the official MEDIC website or their app. Although the high demand may result in some wait times, MEDIC has put measures in place to ensure a smooth operation.
Tickets to Dollywood for Successful Blood Donations
Blood donors who successfully donate within the stipulated period, will receive Dollywood tickets. If a donor gets deferred, they will receive a coupon for Bruster’s ice cream instead.
A Pressing Need for Blood Donation
Because of the urgent demand for blood, initiatives like this are becoming increasingly necessary. The MEDIC Regional Blood Center provides blood products for 25 hospitals in 23 counties. These hospitals include Blount Memorial, Covenant Health System, East TN Children’s Hospital, Tennova Healthcare, and UT Medical Center.
Due to the urgent need for more blood donations, MEDIC encourages all potential donors to donate. The blood, platelets, and plasma products currently on the shelves are vital for trauma events, emphasizing the pressing need for more donations. Objectively, the blood donated takes a minimum of three days to be processed and ready for distribution. Therefore, there’s a need for more donors, especially during the summer period when donations often decrease but the demand remains high.
Supplies Stay in Local Communities
The initiative significantly benefits community members in East TN and Southeastern Kentucky. All blood products donated through MEDIC support this community, unlike donations acquired through other collection activities or organizations. These alternative donations are often shipped out of the area and distributed nationally, thereby not supporting local communities.
