Longboat Key drive collects enough blood to save as many as 39 lives

In the red and white “Blood Vessel” bus parked outside of town hall, Longboat Key residents gave the gift of life on July 19 at a town-sponsored blood drive, operated by SunCoast Blood Centers. 

SunCoast Blood Centers collected 13 units of blood at the drive, which ran from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The donations of blood will be distributed throughout SunCoast’s network, which includes hospitals like Sarasota Memorial, Manatee Memorial, Lakewood Ranch Medical Center and Encompass Health. 

The town sponsors a blood drive about three times a year, according to Support Services Director Carolyn Brown. 

“There is an amazing need for blood,” Brown said in an email. “Making this donation is a win-win for everyone. The donors receive great satisfaction of potentially saving a life, and the recipients receive this necessary gift in their time of need.” 

Photo by Carter Weinhofer

Human Resources Generalist Lynn Curreli arranges the blood drives. At the July drive, each donor received a $10 gift card and was entered into a raffle to win a free iPhone 14. The winner of the raffle will be chosen on July 31. The grand prize is a part of SunCoast’s summer sweepstakes. 

Among the donors was Longboat Key Chief of Police George Turner, who said he tries to give blood every time the town hosts a drive. 

According to SunCoast’s website, 40,000 units of donated blood on average are used every day in the U.S. and Canada. The website also states one unit of blood could help save up to three lives. With that statistic in mind, the blood collected on July 19 could save up to 39 lives. 

Anyone interested in donating blood at another time can schedule an appointment with SunCoast by calling 1-866-97-BLOOD.