Ozona Bank partners for blood drive

Ozona—Ozona Bank hosted a blood drive in partnership with Vitalant Blood Services on Tuesday, June 10.

Blood donors were able to give via a mobile donation setup in front of the bank. 

The bank’s branch manager, Melinda Valdes, said over 14 pints of blood were donated, which is enough to save the lives of up to 42 people. 

She said the blood is stored after donation and is sent to hospitals in need. 

The American Red Cross reports that every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood/platelets. One donation of blood can help save more than one life. 

“They're always in need of people to donate, so we try to help,” Valdes said. “We have a lot of elderly people who want to donate, and it's part of Ozona Bank and giving back to our community.

“We make sure we have a selected area for [the donors], and then we make sure that they are kept in the [donation] bus for 30 minutes until the patient recovers or feels good to go.”

The doors to the bank remain open even during their lunch hour when blood donation is taking place, so donors have access to a restroom. 

Valdes urges members of the community to donate blood. 

“We appreciate any donors that can make a difference in our community and in our world to save lives,” she said. “Any little thing that we can do makes a difference.”