Honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. By Donating Blood, This ‘MLK Day of Service’
UNC REX Healthcare and The Blood Connection team up to save local lives
(JAN. 20, 2020, RALEIGH, N.C.)
UNC REX Healthcare is partnering up with The Blood Connection (TBC), a non-profit community blood center, to recognize Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by hosting blood drives around the Triangle on the MLK Day of Service; celebrated annually on January 20. The Blood Connection is the exclusive provider of blood products for UNC REX. All blood products collected at this inaugural multi-site blood drive will directly help local patients in critical need.
“As the Triangle’s community blood center, we are excited to root ourselves even deeper into the community by pairing up with UNC REX Healthcare to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.” said Delisa K. English, President and CEO of The Blood Connection. “Donors at these drives can know that their donations are directly impacting neighbors in need, truly marking this Day of Service in a special way.”
Blood donors can visit TBC’s mobile blood collection units at UNC REX campuses in Raleigh (outside the main hospital), Knightdale, Garner, Cary and Wakefield at various times on Jan. 20. TBC will donate $10 on behalf of each donor to the REX Healthcare Foundation, which helps patients and their families during times of need and supports various programs at UNC REX. Donors will also receive a commemorative T-shirt as a “Thank you” from TBC and UNC REX. To still be a part of this special day, donors can also give at TBC’s Raleigh Donation Center at 5925 Glenwood Avenue.
“UNC REX is proud to partner with the Blood Connection to hold this community blood drive as a way to honor the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.,” said Ernie Bovio, president of UNC REX. “These critical blood donations will help patients at UNC REX with the gift of life.”
TBC, based in Greenville, S.C., expanded to the Triangle in 2017. In January 2018, TBC partnered with UNC REX to collect and distribute all blood products for UNC REX patients. The two organizations echo the same commitment to support the community and maintain a steady supply of blood products, readily available for local patients when they need it.
All are welcome and encouraged to donate at UNC REX Healthcare locations on Jan. 20. To sign up for a donation appointment or to find specific drive times, please visit: donate.thebloodconnection.org.
Blood drive information and times:
UNC REX – Raleigh Main – 4420 Lake Boone Trail 10:00A.M. – 3:00P.M. – bus will be parked in front of hospital main entrance. Make Appointment
UNC REX Wellness Center of Wakefield – 11200 Galleria Avenue 10:00A.M. – 2:00P.M. – bus will be parked in front of wellness center. Make Appointment
UNC REX Wellness Center of Cary – 1515 SW Cary Pkwy 10:00A.M. – 2:00P.M. – bus will be parked in front of the building to the right, not underneath the overhang. Make Appointment
UNC REX Wellness Center of Garner – 1400 Timber Dr. East 3:00P.M. – 7:00P.M. – bus will be parked on the front side of the circular median, opposite side of the main door. Make Appointment
UNC REX Wellness Center of Knightdale – 6602 Knightdale Blvd 3:00P.M. – 7:00P.M. – bus will be parked in the back left corner of the parking lot. Make Appointment
About The Blood Connection
The Blood Connection has been committed to saving lives since 1962. Founded in Greenville, South Carolina, TBC is an independently managed, not-for-profit, community blood center that provides blood products to more than 70 hospitals within Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Recognized by the U.S. Congress for its dedication to disaster preparedness and the community, TBC works diligently to collect blood from volunteer donors to meet the ever-increasing demand. By keeping collections local, TBC serves hundreds of thousands of patients a year in its communities. TBC is licensed and regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
About UNC REX Healthcare
For 125 years, UNC REX Healthcare has provided expert care for the Wake County community and surrounding areas. With more than 7,000 co-workers, UNC REX is a private, not-for-profit health care system and is a member of UNC Health Care. UNC REX provides various health care services throughout Wake County with facilities in Apex, Cary, Garner, Holly Springs, Knightdale, Wakefield and downtown Raleigh.
