BSM Blood Drive Schedule for 2026
Mark Your Calendar – January 19 and March 23, 2026, Always on Monday 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Wow! Monday, November 10 was a great day for blood donations. The Big Red Bus was quite busy collecting 29 units of blood, which marks a very successful blood drive for our first of the fall/winter drives.
Each donation can save up to three lives so that means 87 patients could benefit from the lifesaving efforts of donors at Burnt Store Marina. Thanks to all our donors listed at the end of this article.
The Big Red Bus from ONEBLOOD will be coming to Burnt Store Marina Monday, January 19, 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. We look forward to seeing our returning donors, and meeting many new Burnt Store area residents and seasonal guests. Each successful donor will receive all three gifts – $20 eGift card, One Blood PowerBank, and a Chick-fil-A card for a free chicken sandwich. I highly recommend making an appointment, as this time of year is very busy!!
If you have never donated blood before, now is a great time to start. January is National Blood Donor Month, making it the perfect time to start making blood donation a habit. It only takes a little of your time, and you will literally be helping give someone a second chance at life.
ONE BLOOD is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) community asset responsible for providing safe, available and affordable blood to more than 300 hospital partners and their patients throughout Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. While all blood types are needed, there is an increased need for O Negative and O Positive blood as well as Platelet donations.
What Is Blood?
There is no substitute for blood, and it cannot be manufactured in a lab. The only source for patients in need of a transfusion is volunteer blood donations. We need YOU TO DONATE!
Generally healthy people age 16 or older, and who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood. Photo ID is required. To learn more about blood donation, and how donors can target the power of their blood type, visit oneblood.org. All donors receive a wellness checkup of blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count, a cholesterol screening, plus a surprise gift. One of three people will need blood in their lifetime. Blood that is donated on this day will likely be transfused within two to three days. The turnaround is that fast, the need is constant. Blood is made up of four main components: red blood cells, platelets, plasma, and white blood cells. Each whole blood donation has the potential to save up to three lives.
The bus is located in the Cass Cay/Trading Post parking lot. Make an appointment online, call, or just walk in the day of the drive. Now is a good time to schedule an appointment for both January and March drives, or if you have questions, please call Ann Singer at 319-290-5955 or Jo Bucci at 941-445- 8260. To schedule online, log onto oneblood.org. Establish a username and password, and follow directions to schedule. Walk-ins are always welcome. Remember to bring a photo ID. Be sure to eat before you donate and drink lots of fluids before and after.
Thanks from Ann Singer and Jo Bucci, volunteers
THANK YOU TO OUR NOVEMBER 10 DONORS!
Anna T. Bouchal Barbara Honcharski
David W. Clark Erik Schindler
George Peterson Jacqulynn Clapp
John Osborn Julie Schindler
Kim Powell Linda Cross
Mark Doiron Mary Sarno
Michael Rosie Robert O’Clare
Susan Huelsberg Anthoney Fann
Clayton Cramer Edwin Castrillo
Frank Dileo Gregory Thornton
James Lichlyter Judith Doiron
Karen Spring Linda Cristinziano
Lois Ackley Mary Johnson
Mary Jane Kamper Randall Kamper
Stephen Powell Yen Chu
