IERNA’s Heating, Cooling & Plumbing started the New Year with a curbside blood drive, partnering with Florida-based blood donation center, OneBlood on January 5th. Collecting more than 20 pints of whole blood, IERNA’s was determined to begin 2021 with their first of many charitable events throughout the year.
“IERNA has always been a family and community-oriented company,” said Charlene Ierna, Owner and President of the company. “Our first and foremost priority is giving back to the ones that have given so much to us. Without them, we would not be able to provide the services we offer.”
Importance of Blood drive
According to American Red Cross, one blood donation can potentially save up to three lives. Less than 38 percent of the population is eligible to give blood or platelets, giving rise to the importance of volunteer donors.
“It is never a matter of whether or not we will do it,” Ierna said, when asked if the company will continue to do blood drives. “It is about “When is the next one?”. Especially due to the events of the past year, if you’re fortunate enough to do so, giving back to those in need in whatever way you can is insurmountably valuable.”
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. is in need of blood and since blood and platelets cannot be manufactured, voluntary donations are always in great demand.
Blood Donation
Each donor was given a long-sleeve t-shirt, restaurant voucher, $20 gift card as well as a wellness checkup including a COVID-19 antibody test. IERNA’s was on site handing out their own swag including custom hand-sanitizer pens.
Donation appointments are available on a first-come-first-serve basis and are open to the public.
