CoServ’s fall blood drive collects enough units to help up to 135 people
The sixth annual CoServ and Lake Cities Chamber blood drive collected enough blood to help up to 135 people Friday. This initiative comes as the American Red Cross navigates an emergency-level shortage in blood reserves nationwide.
Donors included CoServ Employees, Lake Cities Chamber, and community members.
“It’s absolutely critical [to hold drives like these],” said John Seay, Account Representative of Donor Recruitment for the Red Cross. “We have about 2,400 units that are needed over the next six months and having responsible corporate partners, such as CoServ, is the backbone of what we do.”
The American Red Cross is “91 percent volunteers,” John says, comprised of volunteer donors, organizers, and community partners.
One champion of the Red Cross’s cause was CoServ Gas Job Training & Safety Specialist Eric Maray, who made his fifth donation this year on Friday. However, more than simply giving willingly and often, Eric went the extra mile the day prior by inviting John to come out and talk to the Gas Operations team to round up some last-minute registrants and help ensure the event was a success.
“We’re just trying to bring awareness out there to how important it is to donate blood,” Eric said. “We want to promote our blood drive here and get more people involved.”
A strong turnout is crucial for these events, but there are other ways to get involved even if you are unable to donate blood or uncomfortable with doing so. Not only can you volunteer on the day of the event to help people get registered and signed in, but you can also become a blood ambassador for the Red Cross.
“Blood ambassadors are individuals who go through training and then, whether in the workplace, in their communities, neighborhoods, what have you, serve as a source of information for educating the community.”
Increased awareness and a commitment to the cause are essential to ensuring that anyone needing a blood transfusion can get one without delay. So even if you aren’t the one hopping on the table to donate, you can still make a difference.
“These blood drives are about doing our part,” said Jennifer Ebert CCF and Outreach Coordinator at CoServ. “Over our first three years holding these events, we’ve collected and donated enough units to help just over a thousand people,” said Jennifer. “That’s life-changing for so many people.”
The commitment to our neighbors and communities is nothing new to CoServ. In 1937, before rural North Texas was electrified, ordinary farmers and ranchers came together to energize the region, creating CoServ—then known as Denton County Electric Co-op—in the process. That same spirit and commitment endures today in our mission statement and values.
“Helping neighbors and bettering the quality of life for families and our communities is just in our blood,” said Jennifer.
CoServ will be hosting another blood drive in April 2023. Click here to for updates!
