12th annual 'Pint for a Pass' Blood Drive officially underway

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- The Central California Blood Center and Big Fresno Fair are taking action to meet the need of Valley hospitals.

The 12th annual Pint for a Pass blood drive kicked off Tuesday morning.

A pint of blood is one of the most precious gifts.

"Every two seconds, somebody in the United States needs blood," said Gordon Halstead, with CCBC.

The need for blood is huge in the Valley. According to CCBC, it needs 5,000 to 6,000 pints each month.

"Cancer patients, trauma victims, birthing mothers, premature babies - all require blood and blood products," Halstead explained.

To kick off the annual "Pint for Pass" blood drive, the blood center and Big Fresno Fair held a special launch day.

"It's so important to us that we are engrained into our community and that we're giving back, and this is just a small way that we can give back," said Lauri King, CEO of the Big Fresno Fair.

Donors were rewarded with fair food, a chance to win concert tickets and a "Buy One, Get One Free" voucher for the fair.

However, many of the donors know the real reward is saving lives -- Valley lives.

"It's like heartfelt," said blood donor Victoria Barajas. "It feels good to know you can help somebody in just a small simple way. You sit here for 15 minutes and you help so many lives."

Laurie Sales's son is 36 years old because local blood donations saved his life.

"In 1995, my son and I were in a car accident and he needed four units of blood while he was in the hospital," Sales said.

Interested donors can head to any CCBC donor center or mobile drive until October 15. Donors will still receive a BOGO admission voucher, and be entered to win concert and horse racing tickets.

Donors can sign up and make an appointment online.