Press Release
Declan struts into the building ready to save a life. He's here with his mom, and he's going to help others in need through a quick blood donation. His four feet tap on the floor and his tail wags – knowing he's making a difference for another dog in need. Declan, the three-year old rescue mix, donates blood at Fetch Specialty & Emergency Veterinary Services in Greenville, SC whenever able, so other dogs have access to lifesaving blood products. His human mom, Kathrine MacMillan, can't donate blood herself, so she sees this as a way to give back through Declan's service.
Fetch is one of many animal-focused groups partnering with The Blood Connection (TBC), your community blood center, during the month of April, in celebration of National Pet Day on April 11. TBC's “Be Pawsitive” campaign encourages people to donate blood with their community blood center and help local animal shelters by donating their donor rewards to organizations like the South Carolina Animal Care and Control Association, the Humane Society of South Carolina, Hope Animal Rescue in North Carolina, and the Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia.
“Blood products are vital to the services we provide. We can treat many patients suffering from blood loss due to trauma, autoimmune diseases and toxicities,” said Irene Hodges, Practice Manager for Fetch. “The availability of blood products can be the single most important factor in a patient’s recovery and even survival.”
MacMillan, Declan's owner, has had dogs for years and like many, had never heard about the need for animal blood donors. Just like the need for blood donors for our human neighbors, animals rely on blood products every day for treatments and surgeries. When she heard about the opportunity, she jumped on it, hoping to help other animal owners in need.
“As a pet owner who doesn't have any children, my dogs are my children,” MacMillan said. “If something were to happen to him where he would need a blood transfusion, I would hope that [blood] was available for him.”
Her sentiment is one that many human blood donors share, as well. Unfortunately, we never know if it will be our friends, our family, or even ourselves, who need blood products. There is no substitute for human blood, so it is our community's responsibility to ensure that blood products are always available.
TBC is thankful for those community members who help keep the blood supply stable for hospital partners and patients across South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia, and is encouraging more people to join the cause. TBC makes blood donation simple – donate on one of the 50+ mobile donation units, or in one of 14 donation centers. Throughout the month of April, all donors will receive $30 in rewards (mobile exclusions apply). To find a convenient location to donate blood, go to thebloodconnection.org/donate.
