Blood drive at Parker draws donors
On Thursday, the Parker Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership had a Mississippi Blood Services truck onsite for anyone who wanted to give blood.
Mac Smith, who oversees business development at Parker, was one of the many people who donated blood at Parker on Thursday, because he fully understands the need others may have for it.
“I picked my time to be set during the afternoon because they say it's best to eat a really good meal before you go do it; do not give blood on an empty stomach,” Smith said.
Smith said he was reluctant to do it in the past due to his fear of needles, but that changed last year when one of his good friends who was big on donating blood passed away from cancer.
“I had a thought to myself and said, ‘You know, we're going to do this here at the dealership where I work, I'm going to give my blood in [my friend's] honor,” said Smith.“when I did that for the first time, I found out that my blood type is O positive, which is one of the rarest blood types there are. So, that gives me even more reason I should be giving.”
Smith understands that some people don't want to give blood but stated that it is for a good cause and encourages others to do so.
“They're really good at what they do. They take care of you and make sure your blood sugar doesn't get too low and all that stuff,” Smith said.
If you missed the blood drive at Parker on Thursday but would like to give in the future, the OCH Regional Medical Center hosts Mississippi Blood Services on the second Friday of every month from 1-6 p.m.