Each year in August, Blood Assurance hosts the New Blood in North Georgia campaign to promote blood donations in Walker and Catoosa counties.

This year’s theme was “New Blood Heroes in North Georgia.” Blood donors set a new record for the promotion as 617 units of blood were collected in Catoosa and Walker counties, including donations made at the Fort Oglethorpe location of Blood Assurance. The results are more than the anticipated 500-unit goal set by Blood Assurance officials.

“The overall goal was to increase the blood supply at a time when donations are slow,” said Phil Erli, chairman of the North Georgia Advisory Board for Blood Assurance.

“But the specific focus is to encourage new, first-time donors to donate blood,” said Erli, who added that 95 first-time donors gave blood during the campaign.

New Blood in North Georgia was created in 2007 by the North Georgia Advisory Board to promote donations in the area during the month of August, when donations are typically lower than other months. The campaign focuses on recruiting first-time donors and encouraging past donors to continue giving blood in order to maintain an adequate blood supply for the surrounding area. The North Georgia Advisory Board is comprised of several community leaders representing both counties.

Each visitor at Blood Assurance was eligible to register for prizes, including a GE 30-inch free-standing electric range provided by Roper Corp. Brian Anchondo, who donated during one of multiple visits to Blood Assurance, was the recipient of the range. Anchondo has donated two gallons of blood as a donor for Blood Assurance.

The second-place recipient, Matthew Dykema, received a cordless telephone system provided by Ringgold Telephone Co. Don Thompson, the third-place recipient, received a $50 gas card courtesy of Blood Assurance.

Blood Assurance, headquartered in Chattanooga, Tenn., is a non-profit organization that relies on volunteer, non-paid blood donors in order to meet the needs of 47 health care facilities. For more information on donating blood, call (706) 861-5983 or visit bloodassurance.org.

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