The Gift of Life
Every single day in the United States, blood donors help patients of all ages, including accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and people fighting cancer. For many years, White Memorial Presbyterian Church has opened its doors for a community event dedicated to saving lives – a blood donation drive.
Did You Know?
- Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. This could be for surgeries, trauma victims, cancer patients, or those with chronic illnesses.
- One donation can save up to three lives. A single unit of blood (1 pint) can be separated into its components (red cells, plasma, and platelets) each serving different patients’ needs.
- The body replaces lost blood quickly; most people will regain their normal blood volume within 24 hours of donating.
- Donating blood is not just safe; it can also benefit the donor. Studies show that regular blood donors may have a lower risk of certain diseases, including heart disease.
- Just 1 teaspoon of blood can save a baby’s life!
From a Christian viewpoint, donating blood is a profound act of love and service, reflecting the teachings of Jesus Christ. The Bible emphasizes caring for others, as seen in passages like Matthew 25:40, which states, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.” By donating blood, we answer the call to serve those in need and embody the spirit of sacrifice and compassion central to our shared beliefs.
In fact, the current need is acute. The American Red Cross recently declared a severe emergency blood shortage and called on people to donate. As the largest supplier of blood products for hospitals and for patient need in the U.S., the organization relayed that the demand from hospitals has outpaced the available supply of blood.
Dedicated Volunteers
White Memorial Presbyterian Church members and medical professionals Julie Gooding and Hannah M. Sloan are deeply passionate about donating blood, and have consistently offered their time and caring to help our church host and operate blood drives through the years.
Says Julie:
“I started volunteering for the American Red Cross years ago when I taught first aid, CPR and the baby sitting class. After I retired in 2020 from a career in Public Health, I decided to get busy and volunteer again. I serve as a blood donor ambassador, which means I register people when they go to donate and watch over them afterwards. I enjoy helping when White Memorial Presbyterian Church holds a blood drive twice a year. I also enjoy serving on the Health Ministries team to plan health events for our members. I think promoting health and encouraging people to be active is very important!”
“We have 43 slots for donors at each blood drive. Thankfully, we have had most or all filled at each event. This past November 2025 we collected 30 units of blood. This is a significant achievement and represents a substantial contribution to the local blood supply and the patients who rely on transfusions for surgeries, cancer treatments and emergency care.”
Hannah adds:
“I have had the joy of helping with the American Red Cross Blood drive at WMPC for about 10 years. As an employee at Wake Med, I quickly discovered the importance of donating blood regularly. After learning I could not donate blood any longer, I decided I needed to give back by volunteering my time. I am proud to say I help with this life-saving event, and have encouraged friends and church members to incorporate giving blood into their lives. Being a part of the American Red Cross and White Memorial Presbyterian Church is an amazing duo. You are a part of two organizations that make a huge impact every day! At the age of 13, my son Wiley was involved in a tragic boating accident on the coast of NC. I am thankful for many who saved him that day. Several of those heroes were blood donors! I will never meet the donors who gave the blood Wiley needed to survive, but our church’s blood drive can allow me to pay it forward.”
“Also, one of our church members, Dr. John McNeill has been a blood donor for every blood drive I have been involved with and has already signed up for the next drive. John gives the gift of life!”
Your Opportunity
White Memorial Presbyterian Church is offering our next blood donation drive on Monday, February 23, 2026 from 1:30 – 6:00 p.m. This event takes place in Pickard Hall (the gym), and registration with the American Red Cross is available at https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?order=DATE&range=10&zipSponsor=WMPC.
Church members can also give their time on February 23rd to register donors and provide food and fellowship to the donors after their giving appointments. Whether you’re a regular blood donor or considering it for the first time, events like these remind us that each act of kindness contributes to the greater good. We hope to see you there – help us give the gift of life.