BEDFORD — With a patient in the United States requiring blood every two seconds, the Bedford Rotary Club is stepping up to help replenish local medical supplies.
The civic organization has partnered with the American Red Cross to host a summer community blood drive on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The drive will take place at the Central Church of Christ Education Center, located at 1321 12th Street in Bedford.
According to the American Red Cross, blood is a highly perishable product with a limited shelf life, meaning hospital shelves must be constantly replenished by volunteer donors. Because blood cannot be manufactured or cloned, patient survival relies entirely on the generosity of the public.
“The Bedford Rotary Club is committed to strengthening our community and helping meet hospital and patient needs through blood donations,” said Rita Dunn, President of the Bedford Rotary Club. “This blood drive is our way of allowing community members to help save lives.”
Dunn urged residents to book their slots early to help establish a robust baseline safety net ahead of the busy summer season.
“We urge community members to donate blood and help ensure that patients in local hospitals have a supply of blood ready and waiting before an emergency occurs,” Dunn added. “There’s no better feeling than knowing that your blood donation may give someone a second chance at life.”
While the Red Cross emphasizes that donors of all blood types are desperately needed and welcome to participate, they are placing a special call-out for individuals with O-negative, A-negative, and B-negative blood types.
Type O-negative is the universal blood type, meaning it can be transfused to any patient in an emergency trauma situation when there is no time to test a victim’s blood type.
How to Schedule an Appointment
To streamline the process and minimize wait times, donors are highly encouraged to schedule a time slot ahead of Tuesday’s drive.
- By Phone: Call the American Red Cross directly at 1-800-REDCROSS (1-800-733-2767).
- Online: Visit redcrossblood.org and enter the unique sponsor code: ROTARYBEDFORD
About the Bedford Rotary Club
Rotary International is a global network of more than 1.2 million neighbors, friends, and leaders who volunteer their time to tackle sustainable, lasting challenges across the globe and within their hometowns.
Locally, the Bedford Rotary Club places a heavy emphasis on supporting Lawrence County youth initiatives alongside their regular public health service projects. The club meets every Thursday from Noon to 1:00 p.m. at the Lawrence County Museum. Area residents interested in learning more about the club or getting involved in local service work are always encouraged to attend an upcoming meeting.
