By DaVonte McKenith
dmckenith@nebraska.tv / Facebook / Twitter @davontemckenith
Many donors flocked to the American Red Cross Blood Drive, Friday, in Kearney. The Red Cross hosted blood drives in the tri-cities, as well as Holdrege, to make it easier for people to be considered life heroes.
"How many times are you going to walk down the street and run by a burning building to pull someone out? That's saving a life by the same token as donating blood. By donating blood, you'll help save someone else's life also," said Kim Pegg, donor team supervisor for the American Red Cross.
For some, they say the personal impact they get from giving blood...doesn't pump in until they're in the hot-seat.
"I guess you don't really realize how important it is to give blood until after you started, and you see how many people are affected by it," said Kaitlyn Olson, donor.
The American Red Cross supplies more than 40 percent of the nations blood supply, and during the summer months, that supply needs a little boost.
A lot of our blood drives are held during the school year at high schools and colleges - they're not going on during the summer months. People are busy, they're taking vacations - So we definitely see a decline in the summer months.
Red Cross officials urge everyone to donate if they can as they need all types of blood. O-Negative and O-Positive blood types are needed the most.
"We always need more O-Negative blood than any blood type, because it's the universal blood type," said Pegg.
Officials also want to remind you that we all know the benefits of living life, but there's also benefits when you give life. Even after the pain, you'll always have a smile to share when you know you've helped save a life.
