Delta Health System, Kiwanis Club, and Rotary Club Join Mississippi Blood Services To Help Save Lives Community Blood Drive Set for Tuesday, September 1

Delta Health System, the Kiwanis Club of Greenville, and the Rotary Club of Greenville are joining together to host a community blood drive supporting the Mississippi Blood Services to help with the critical blood shortage effecting the Delta Region and state. The blood drive will be held Tuesday, September 1, 2026, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Delta Room at The Medical Center, 1400 E. Union Street in Greenville.

Mississippi Blood Services continues to ask for more blood donors as The Medical Center and hospitals across the state work to keep enough blood on hand for patients in need. Every day, blood is used to treat people injured in accidents, patients undergoing surgery, individuals fighting cancer, and those with serious illnesses. Because blood has a limited shelf life, donations are needed every day to help ensure lifesaving care is available when emergencies happen.

Community leaders say this blood drive is a chance for neighbors to come together and make a difference.

"At Delta Health System, caring for our community is part of who we are," said Iris Stacker, Chief Executive Officer of Delta Health System. "When blood supplies are low, every donation matters. We are proud to partner with the Kiwanis and Rotary Clubs to give our community an opportunity to help save lives. I encourage everyone who is able to donate to join us."

Blood donations are one of the few gifts that cannot be manufactured or replaced. When supplies run low, hospitals depend on generous volunteer donors to help meet the needs of patients requiring lifesaving transfusions.

"Donating blood is one of the simplest ways we can help our neighbors," remarked Tracy Cameron, President of the Kiwanis Club of Greenville. "Kiwanis is committed to improving the lives of children, and many young people with sickle cell disease or leukemia rely on lifesaving blood transfusions throughout the year. Supporting this blood drive is another way we can care for our children, strengthen our community, and make a lasting difference for families who need us most."

Each donation helps strengthen the local blood supply and provides hope for families when they need it most.

"Rotary believes that meaningful service begins with caring for others," said Katherine Shamoon, President of the Rotary Club of Greenville. "Giving blood is a powerful way to make a difference, even if you never know whose life you have touched. I would also encourage our local businesses and employers to support this effort by allowing employees a little extra time during the workday to donate blood. It is a simple act of generosity that can save multiple lives.”

While many people never see the work that takes place inside a hospital laboratory, laboratory teams play a vital role in making sure patients receive the blood they need at the right time. From emergency transfusions to planned surgeries, every blood donation helps support safe, quality patient care.

“Every day, our laboratory team sees patients whose lives depend on donated blood. We see the need firsthand, and we know what’s at stake when the shelves are not adequately stocked. The question we never want to have to answer is, ‘Who gets the blood when there simply isn’t enough for everyone who needs it?’ We shouldn’t have to make that choice. Donating blood is more than just giving a unit, it is giving us the ability to say YES when a patient needs us most, said Regina Taylor, Director of Laboratory.

Whether you are a first-time donor or a regular donor, your contribution can help save lives. Mississippi Blood Services encourages eligible donors to prepare by eating a nutritious meal, drinking plenty of water, and bringing a valid photo ID to the blood drive.

For more information about donor eligibility, visit www.msblood.com.

Blood Drive Details

• What: Mississippi Blood Services Community Blood Drive
• Hosted by: Delta Health System, Kiwanis Club of Greenville, and Rotary Club of Greenville,
• When: Tuesday, September 1, 2026
• Time: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
• Where: Delta Room, The Medical Center, 1400 E. Union Street, Greenville, Mississippi