GREENVILLE, S.C. — The Greenville Drive and The Blood Connection kicked off their annual blood drive with a press conference Thursday to highlight the need for donations.
2025 marks the 13th season of the duo’s partnership and the Greenville Drive’s 20th anniversary.
“Over the years, Greenville Drive fans have helped collect over 2,600 units of blood, and that’s a lifeline of 8,000 patients right here in this community that have received blood products,” said Delisa English, The Blood Connection President/CEO.
Despite the partnership, officials with The Blood Connection emphasized what they called a “critical” need in South Carolina.
“I’m amazed every year. I learn something new about blood supply and blood donations… the fact that over 800 people need to donate blood every day to meet the daily need of the hospitals in our community,” said Jeff Brown, The Greenville Drive President.
Organizers also unveiled a new limited-edition Greenville Drive jersey that will be available to fans who donate.
John Elkes, Prisma Health’s Enterprise Director of Preparedness, reported a higher need for blood donations as temperatures rise during the spring and summer.
“As the weather gets nice, people in Greenville like to get out. When people get out, they’re more likely to get injured and require blood products, so you have a little bit of need go up during summer months,” said Elkes. “We have increased transfusion requirements. But also, we have decreased donors. So, if you have the free time during the summer, please consider it.”
Over the next four months, organizers will host a series of blood drives to meet their goal of 400 donated units.
- Tuesday, April 8
- Wednesday, June 11
- Wednesday, July 16
“We want to collect 400, but we want to really explode that number. We want it to be so much more than 400, and we can do it, said English. “We have a great opportunity, starting this weekend, to do that.”
The first blood drive will be held this Saturday, March 15 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
