On January 10, 2021, the International WeLoveU Foundation hosted its first blood drive in Indianapolis, IN, in partnership with Versiti Blood Center. The blood drive is part of WeLoveU’s national blood donation campaign scheduled between January and February in California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, and Ohio. Nationwide, volunteers have pledged to lead their communities to donate blood safely in response to rising COVID-19 cases.  

In Indianapolis, around 40 volunteers registered to donate blood at the Fort Wayne location. Collectively, 37 units of life-saving blood were donated: 29 units of whole blood and four double red blood cells. The blood donation made by the WeLoveU Foundation volunteers can save up to 111 lives!

The Versiti Blood Center staff were grateful for their donation and support throughout the blood donation process. WeLoveU volunteers helped with sanitizing stations, waiting and post-donation areas, and guided guests throughout the process while practicing physical distancing.  

Before the coronavirus pandemic, there was already a shortage of healthy blood despite the high demand. For instance, the FDA reported that someone in the U.S. needs a blood transfusion every two seconds. Now, meeting the demand has been even more challenging during the pandemic. Tens of thousands of blood drives have been canceled, halting blood donations.  

The situation in Indiana was no exception, with COVID-19 cases rising daily. The urgent need for healthy blood inspired the WeLoveU Foundation to host a blood drive in Fort Wayne, with volunteers traveling from Evansville, which is five hours away. All in the name of unity. However, one of the campaign’s key messages is to encourage people to donate wherever they are by scheduling an appointment with their local blood center. Even if people cannot donate blood, raising awareness is also essential. To bring more attention to the need for blood, WTHR, broadcasted the campaign before its official launch.