MIDDLETOWN, CT (WFSB) - A simple blood donation can mean the difference between life and death.
One-hundred volunteers in Middletown did just that, stepping up to give the gift of life during a time when blood remains in critical short supply.
At the Elks Lodge, volunteers from the International WeLoveU Foundation gathered to donate, with each pint of blood potentially saving up to three lives.
According to Dan Ramm of the WeLoveU Foundation, the need for blood is constant: "People need blood every two seconds," he said. "Even by the time I finish speaking this sentence, we lose a whole handful of people who need blood."
This drive comes after the American Red Cross issued a desperate call for help six months ago, when national blood inventories dropped by 25%.
While the supply has improved, hospitals are still facing urgent shortages.
The WeLoveU Foundation, which has organized hundreds of blood drives over the past two decades, continues to be a vital force in helping to meet this demand.
Among the volunteers was Lisa DePietro, who marked a significant milestone by donating her 75th pint of blood.
Lisa, who started donating in college, said she typically gives blood three to four times a year.
For her, the motivation to donate runs in the family -- her father was also a regular donor.
"There's not a lot of things I can do to help, but donating blood is one of them," Lisa said.
Her dedication to the cause reflects the spirit of the event, with every donation helping to ensure that patients in need receive the life-saving blood they require.
For those interested in helping, the WeLoveU Foundation encourages everyone to consider giving blood and contributing to saving lives.