MCR’s Annual Blood Drive Makes a Big Impact
On July 18, 2025, Mercury Clinical Research once again partnered with the Gulf Coast Blood Center for another successful blood drive. Our team, along with friends and supporters, stepped up to donate… and together, we were able to potentially save 39 lives.
This marks yet another year of giving back to the community through blood donation. For several years, Team MCR has made this tradition a priority. Those who are able to donate always jump at the opportunity, knowing the tremendous impact their donation can have. It’s a powerful reminder of how a few minutes of our time can change… and even save… someone else’s life.
Why Blood Donation Matters
Blood donations are vital to keeping hospitals and emergency responders equipped to handle everyday needs and crisis situations. A single blood donation can help multiple patients in different ways- plasma for burn victims, platelets for cancer patients, and red blood cells for trauma or surgery patients.
Here’s how blood donation benefits our community:
Reduces shortages that can delay treatments for people with chronic illnesses.
Supports local hospitals with life-saving supplies for surgeries and trauma care.
Provides critical blood products for cancer and anemia patients undergoing treatment.
Ensures emergency preparedness during disasters or major accidents.
Helps newborns and mothers in need of transfusions after complicated deliveries.
How Blood Types Make a Difference
Not all blood donations are the same; each blood type plays a unique role in addressing shortages and saving lives:
- O Negative: The universal donor blood type. In emergencies where the patient’s blood type isn’t known, O negative is used first. It’s always in high demand, especially for trauma and emergency care.
- O Positive: The most common blood type, critical for keeping hospitals stocked. Since it can be given to any Rh-positive patient, it’s especially helpful during shortages.
- A Positive: Greatly needed for platelet donations, which cancer patients rely on during chemotherapy.
- B Negative: One of the rarest blood types, making donations from B negative donors extremely valuable during shortages.
- AB Plasma: The universal plasma type, used for burn victims, trauma patients, and those with clotting disorders.
Every blood type counts, and knowing your blood type can help you understand just how impactful your donation can be during critical times.
Looking Ahead
At Mercury Clinical Research, we’re committed not just to advancing medicine but also to serving our community. Our annual blood drive with Gulf Coast Blood Center is one way we bring our values to life. Team MCR looks forward to continuing this tradition and encouraging more people to join in this life-saving effort.
Thank you to everyone who rolled up their sleeves on July 18, 2025 to make this year’s drive a success. Together, we’re making a real difference.