Donate to a Bigger Cause: Give Blood Today

LifeSouth is celebrating 50 years of service and has returned to the Hyatt on LL3. Donating blood not only gives back to the community, but it may also award you karma points. Donors were already lined up before opening time. Some had appointments. Some were walk-ins. All were glad they had the opportunity to be a part of this Dragon Con tradition.

Christina Medina, Director of Donor Recruiting, took a few minutes to chat with me and here are a few things to know:

  1. There are several appointments still available for Friday through Sunday. Scan the QR Code posted on any of the LifeSouth posters around the Con to schedule a time. Scheduling an appointment is the fastest way to get through the lines and receive a pin for signing up.
  2. Walk-ins are welcome. Early morning is a better time than late afternoon. Waiting in line gives you the benefit of meeting your fellow Con friends.
  3. If this will be the first time you are donating blood, that is fine. As a first-time donor, you cannot ask for a better environment. There are around 40 phlebotomists working each day, and there is also a full medical team available, if needed.
  4. Please don’t hesitate to ask questions. Medina says there is nothing to fear in asking any question you have. No one will laugh at you or make fun of you. It’s better to ask and be comfortable than to have needless worry.
  5. Last year, there were 3,308 donors. This year’s goal is 3,600 donors.
  6. In 2023, LifeSouth was nationally recognized for having the largest blood drive. That speaks volumes to the many donors who stepped up. Dragon Con is known for its culture of giving back.
  7. After you finish donating, there are snacks, drinks, and a t-shirt for you.

Come and be a part of this wonderful tradition at Dragon Con!

Author of the article

Award-winning author Amanda Faith may have been raised in Dayton, but her heart and home is in the South. With a lifelong love of teaching and writing, she had plenty of encouragement from teachers and friends along the way. Loving a good puzzle has always been a fascination, and writing gives her the outlet to put all the pieces together. Being adventurous and loving to try new things, it wasn’t long before her characters found themselves in unusual situations. She loves to put people from two different worlds into new situations and to see how they interact, taking them on journeys they would never have normally experienced. Her current adventure working as a high school English professor turned Media Specialist, writing, and doing paranormal investigations doesn’t slow her down from having a great time with a plethora of hobbies. Her published credits include several short stories, poetry, several journal articles, her doctoral dissertation, and her award-winning book Strength of Spirit. With multiple degrees, she has a passion for learning and exploring new venues. She is a staff writer for The Daily Dragon at Dragon Con. Check out her new website (www.amandafaith.net) or on Instagram (@dramandafaith)