On Wednesday, Oakwood Baptist Church hosted a community blood drive for one of its members, Walker County Sheriff Steve Wilson.
Wilson, who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in October, hoped the event would encourage others to donate blood in honor of cancer patients, who frequently require blood transfusions.
The results were astounding, with 179 units donated at the blood drive. Thirty additional donations were collected at various Blood Assurance locations in honor of the sheriff, bringing the total number of units to 209 donations.
Sheriff Wilson, who is currently in remission, will undergo a stem cell transplant next month. While Sheriff Wilson is able to act as his own donor during his transplant, others battling the same disease depend on the national registry to locate a donor.
Thirty-six donors joined the Be The Match Registry® in honor of the sheriff on Wednesday.
Donors can still donate blood and join the Be The Match Registry® in honor of Sheriff Wilson by visiting any area blood drive or Blood Assurance location. For more information on the Be The Match registry, please visit www.bethematch.org.
For more information about donating blood, please call Blood Assurance at 423-756-0966 or visit www.bloodassurance.org.
