REP. NANCY MACE URGES SOUTH CAROLINIANS TO DONATE BLOOD AMID SEVERE NATIONAL SHORTAGE

Representative Nancy Mace is urging South Carolinians to roll up their sleeves and donate blood as the American Red Cross declared a severe blood shortage on Monday, with the national blood supply falling 35% over the past month.

According to the American Red Cross, the demand from hospitals has outpaced the available supply of blood, forcing doctors to make difficult decisions about which patients receive transfusions.

Rep. Mace, a regular blood donor, donated blood earlier this month to help address the critical shortage affecting hospitals across South Carolina and the nation.

“Our hospitals need blood right now,” said Rep. Mace. “If you’re able to donate, please make an appointment today. It takes less than an hour and could save multiple lives. South Carolina takes care of its own, let’s show up for our neighbors who need us.”

The American Red Cross Palmetto SC Region serves more than 5 million people across 42 counties in South Carolina, providing disaster relief, health and safety classes, blood collection for hospitals, and services to the armed forces. In 2024 alone, the Red Cross supplied more than 76,000 units of blood to South Carolina hospitals.

The Blood Connection, serving South Carolina since 1962, operates donation centers across the Palmetto state. The Blood Connection partners with Prisma Health, Bon Secours, Spartanburg Regional Medical, Grand Strand Medical Center, Trident Health and more to supply blood to South Carolina communities.

Blood Donation Centers in South Carolina

American Red Cross Locations:

• Mt. Pleasant: 920 Houston Northcutt Blvd Suite A, Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464

• Charleston (West Ashley): 2000 Sam Rittenberg Blvd., Charleston, SC

• Columbia: 2751 Bull St., Columbia, SC

• Myrtle Beach: 3681 Renee Drive, Unit #4, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579

• Additional blood drives and mobile donation centers available at RedCrossBlood.org

The Blood Connection Locations:

• Charleston: 5870 Core Rd., North Charleston, SC 29406

• Columbia: University of South Carolina campus

• Florence: 1617 S Irby St., Florence, SC 29505

• Greenville: 435 Woodruff Rd., Greenville, SC 29607

• Myrtle Beach: 1217 38th Ave North, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577

• Rock Hill: 1157 Herrons Ferry Rd., Rock Hill, SC 29730

• Simpsonville: 655 Fairview Rd. Suite C-2, Simpsonville, SC 29680

• Spartanburg: 270 N. Grove Medical Park Dr., Spartanburg, SC 29303

How to Donate

American Red Cross:

• Download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit RedCrossBlood.org, or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767)

• Those who donate through January 25 will be automatically entered to win a trip for two to Super Bowl LX. Donors who give January 26-February 28 will receive a $20 e-gift card.

The Blood Connection:

• Visit TheBloodConnection.org or call 1-800-392-6551

• Earn TBC Rewards points redeemable for gift cards at your favorite retailers

“Every donation can help save up to three lives,” added Rep. Mace. “That’s three families, three futures, three reasons to donate.”