Be a Superhero, Give Blood!

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They look like your normal County employees, but underneath their every day work clothes, they’re actually Superheroes. They’re saving lives by donating blood.

The 28th Annual County Employees Blood Drive picks up again with three collection events this week and another next week. The drive kicked off April 5 at the County Administration Center and actually exceeded its goal by 20 pints, not that we’re fostering any competition!  

The donations do make all the difference to trauma patients or people who suffer from life-threatening blood disorders like aplastic anemia, sickle cell anemia and leukemia.  

Border Health Assistant Juan Olmeda knows all about it. He organized the County blood drives for years until he was diagnosed with leukemia in 2009. After working to save the lives of others, suddenly he was fighting for his own. As part of his treatment, he needed two pints of blood a day. 

Fortunately, his sister Lourdes proved to be a match for a bone marrow transplant and last year he was able to return to work. Today he’s still recovering. “I’m not 100 percent but going that way little by little,” says Olmeda.  

His message? You never know when you or someone in your family may need a donation. Join the ranks of County Superheroes and do your part to save lives.

Everyone has blood and it’s simple to donate. You can make an appointment on line or walk-in. The dates and locations are below. Remember, Lives Depend on It!