BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — While county health officials put out the call for convalescent plasma donors to help with the COVID-19 crisis, if you tested negative for the virus a local veteran is urging you to give blood anyway.
A blood drive is happening this Saturday outside the Portrait of a Warrior Gallery in Downtown Bakersfield with the modest goal of collecting five gallons of blood.
It's a total that local vet and organizer Jason Geis hopes will double every eight weeks.
"I went down to Houchin and I donated blood several months ago, and they said they ran out of blood and had to purchase blood from another county," Geis said. "And I said that makes no sense, why would we have to be purchasing blood? We have 45,000 veterans in Kern County and we're all ready to continue to serve our community."
Geis is rounding up his friends, fellow vets and anyone else who feels like answering the call. He's on a mission for some would-be donors and said for some, it's about facing your fear!
"So it could just be about bringing awareness to it. If you're scared of needles how about try it one time and you know, you're laying down. It's not like you're going faint and fall to the floor," he said.
If you'd like to sign up go to the Houchin Community Blood Bank website and schedule an appointment.
Portrait of a Warrior Gallery is located at 1925 Eye Street. The blood drive is taking place from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.
