Red Cross Seeks Type O Blood Donors
A year ago, many things in the world paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the need for blood never stopped. Today blood donations are just as essential, and the American Red Cross urges individuals who are healthy to make an appointment to donate blood.
For patients in the emergency room, fighting cancer or coping with a life-threatening illness, help can’t wait. Their health is reliant on the selfless generosity of blood donors. However, the blood supply continues to face challenges from the ongoing pandemic and extreme winter weather that impacted much of the U.S. last month.
CarolinaEast Health System is running an ongoing weekend vaccine clinic for New Bern’s underserved community and Phil Ford, a former UNC basketball star paid a visit Saturday to get his shot and encourage the community’s turnout.
Hospital administrator Judy Pierce has overseen the clinic, hosted by Dayspring Christian Center at 1246 Pollock Street. The church’s pastor, P. O. Rogers, is also a board member at CarolinaEast, and a friend of Ford’s. He convinced the Raleigh resident to make the trek to New Bern to receive his vaccine.
Ford, a point guard in his college days, was recognized by a number of local residents who had shown up for their shots. He said he also played for Rocky Mount in his high school days. “New Bern was in our conference, so I played down here a couple of times (in the ‘70s),” he said. “We also played against New Bern in the state championship. I had great coaches and great teammates.”