Three hundred-fifty people came out to donate blood with Shepeard Community Blood Center at the Imperial Sugar hosted burn replacement blood drive.  

Shepeard is the exclusive provider of blood to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital where the victims of the Imperial Sugar Refinery explosion are being treated. This was Shepeard’s first blood drive in the Savannah area.
Kay Hastings, senior vice president of Imperial Sugar, was thrilled with the results.  

“The Imperial Sugar Company continues to appreciate the outpouring of support from the Savannah community and the aid of Shepeard Community Blood Center as they partner with the Joseph M. Still Burn Center to care for our associates,” she said.

In the last five years, 400 people from the Savannah area have been treated at the Joseph M. Still Burn Center. The Joseph M. Still Burn Center is the southeastern U.S.’ only burn center. Donating with Shepeard is the only way to ensure that blood will be there when the next emergency occurs and patients are admitted to the burn center.

“We are overwhelmed and touched by your tremendous support. We have had the opportunity to meet and speak with so many individuals who have been impacted by the tragedy on Feb. 7 and are so encouraged by this community’s spirit of unity and optimism,” said Kevin Belanger, CEO of Shepeard Community Blood Center. “This was indeed a community wide effort. Mayor (Glenn) Jones and the city of Port Wentworth made use of the Port Wentworth Gym, Tom and John James and the John S. James Corporation donated a new gold dollar coin for each donor, Savannah Coca-Cola provided beverages, and Deli Mart provided pizzas and subs for the donors.

“Most of all, we are thankful for the many individuals who shared their good health with those less fortunate through blood donation.”

For more information about Shepeard Community Blood Center, contact Linda Petersen, (706) 737-4551x316.