James Eunice Legacy Blood Drive (2026)

10/01/2026

Did you know that only 3% of the U.S. population donates blood each year? Of that total, 25-30% of those donations come from first time donors. You can help change those numbers if you've never given before. I was 34 years old the first time I donated blood. I was teaching Air Force ROTC at the University of Georgia. So many good things begin at UGA and this was another one. One of the ROTC affiliated groups was sponsoring a drive in Stegman Coliseum. I had just finished playing racquetball and stopped by to donate. I was done in less than five minutes. Not every donation since then has been that quick, but it never takes too long to donate. You can help increase that 3%, and if you've never given before, increase that 25 to 30% number for first time donors. Those few minutes can help up to three patients. So do it for the three amazing women associated with this year's James Eunice Legacy Blood Drive. Do it for Lisa, Lori and Erica. Join us on January 20th from 1 to 6 PM at Northside Baptist Church and give the gift of life. Find out more at redcrossblood.org.

08/01/2026

I heard the old Southern Gospel Song, "The Blood will Never Lose Its Power" as I was driving home from Savannah yesterday. As James' blood drive approaches on the 20th, I thought how true those words are. I know many will say the only things certain in life are death and taxes, but I believe these words would qualify as another one of life's certainties. Approximately 29,000 units of red blood cells are needed every day in the U. S. In addition, nearly 5,000 units of platelets and 6.500 units of plasma are needed daily in the U.S. Blood and platelets can only come from volunteer donors. THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE. The blood will never lose its power. We've shared the stories from Lisa Felts Day, Lori Gurley, and Erica Cooper, who have each recieved numerous blood transfusions this past year in their journeys. Maybe you know someone as well. Help them today by donating. Come join us this year on January 20th at Northside Baptist Church from 1 to 6 PM for the James Eunice Legacy Blood Drive. Give the gift of life. There's a 100% certainty it will help someone because the blood will neve lose its power. Find out more at redcrossblood.org.

05/01/2026

Tammy mentioned last night that one unit of blood can save up to three lives. We introduced you to Lori Gurley and Lisa Felts Day as part of this year's blood drive. We want to introduce you to Erica Cooper today as this year's third person that one unit of blood could impact. Many in the Lowndes County School system know Erica's story. She shared this about her journey: "Erica was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia on January 3, 2025. She spent the next 12 months getting chemotherapy to kill the cancer cells. Because leukemia is located in the blood, and chemo destroys healthy cells and cancer cells, she often needed different blood products to survive. In the weeks after each chemo treatment, Erica would routinely need both red blood cells and platelets infused because her body was unable to make healthy blood cells fast enough. Over the course of her treatment, she needed more than 20 units of red blood cells and 10 units of platelets, and was able to get those products from donors like you! Thank you for helping save her life and so many others like her!”"

The picture below is Erica ringing the bell. Give the gift of life to help Erica, Lisa and Lori as well as others facing challenges like they've been through. The need for blood is much more critical than many of us realize. You can be the one to help make a difference in someone's life. It may be someone you know or a complete stranger, but you can make a difference. You can sign up online for an appointment at redcrossblood.org using the keyword Eunice or stop in on January 20th from 1 to 6 PM at Northside Baptist Church. We hope to see you there.

04/01/2026

Did you know that someone in the US needs blood every two seconds? It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets or plasma, this lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation. You can help by donating at this year's James Eunice Legacy Blood Drive on January 20th at Northside Baptist Church. Make an appointment online at redcrossblood.org or stop by between 1 and 6 PM to give the gift of life. We look forward to seeing you there.

01/01/2026

We introduced you to Lori Gurley's story for the January 20th James Eunice Legacy Blood Drive. Tonight, we want to share Lisa Day's story. From her husband Paul, "The matriarch of our family, Lisa Day, has been fighting for her life over the past year at Shands Hospital in Gainesville. She was the recipient of two organ transplants, and she developed a rare condition during the process called Calciphylaxis. It is a horrific process that has no cure other than the transplants and then long-term healing.
During the past year Lisa has received many units of blood, and blood transfusions provided her with a better opportunity to undergo her surgeries. Modern medicine provides pathways to healing, and donated blood makes all of it possible.
Giving blood takes about an hour, and you can do something extraordinary. A single blood donation can help save up to three lives—newborns fighting for their first breath, accident victims in urgent need, and patients battling serious illness.
Blood cannot be manufactured. It can only come from generous people willing to give a small part of themselves to help others live. When you donate, you become a lifeline for your community—today, tomorrow, and when the unexpected happens.
Be someone’s hope. Be someone’s hero. It could be someone you know that needs it. Donate blood and help save lives."

Life changes in an instant, and the gift of blood can be vital to help address those changes. Life changed for the Day family. Be a hero to someone like Lisa and give the gift of life at the 2026 James Eunice Legacy Blood Drive on January 20. Find out more at www.redcrossblood.org.

31/12/2025

Give blood at the James Eunice Legacy Blood Drive. You never know who you may help. Lori Gurley worked at Valdosta High School when James attended. Her younger son, Tyler, knew James. Lori is battling cancer. She had her fifth of six rounds of chemotherapy today. Lori shared the following about her cancer journey,
"Saturday, October 12th, 2024 was a day that changed my life forever. After a surgical consult for what I thought was just a hernia, I ended up in the ER with shortness of breath and abdominal pain. I was given a CT scan and they determined that I had pulmonary embolisms in both lungs and a very large mass in my pelvis. The ER doctor said he believed it was ovarian cancer and most likely terminal. This Seminole was sent down to UF Shands in Gainesville and I am sure glad I was. I spent the next week seeking treatment for my embolisms and getting a biopsy of my mass. Everyone there was so positive. They used words like treatment and remission, not fatal and terminal like the ER doctor. They determined that it was Metastatic Ovarian Cancer Stage 4 and it had spread to my lungs, spine and lymph nodes in my belly. The oncologist at Shand’s said he would refer me back to SGMC to start chemotherapy immediately. From there it was a whirlwind of doctor’s appointments, port placement, chemotherapy and scans. From October to December I completed 4 of 6 cycles of chemo. In December I had a consult with a surgeon at Mayo in Jacksonville to see if I was a candidate for surgery. Thankfully the chemo was working and my surgery was scheduled for February 3rd, 2025. After surgery, the surgeon said the surgery was a success and after a week at Mayo I was sent home to recover. After recovery I finished my last 2 rounds of chemo and on March 27th, 2025 I rang the bell and my cancer markers indicated that wonderful word… remission. I started an immunotherapy to keep the cancer away and started to live again! My scan in June was clear! I was so excited and my hair was growing back! I thought I would get at least the five years they talked about before any reoccurrence. My scan in September begged to differ! I got the news that the cancer was back in my left lung and on my spine. I had to start chemo again. 6 more rounds and we would re-scan and see where we stand. I barely got 6 months of remission. The immunotherapy had either stopped working or never really worked at all. I will have my last round of chemo on January 20th, 2026. I am hoping to hear the word “remission” once again! I am determined to fight!"
Lori's last round of chemo is scheduled for the same day as the blood drive. Find out more at redcrossblood.org. Schedule an appointment or walk in. Give the gift of life like these happy donors from last year's drive.

23/12/2025

We decided 2019 was going to be the last James Eunice Legacy Blood Drive. Then Tammy's dad needed two units of blood for surgery in 2020, so we knew 2019 would not be the last year. We dedicated the 2020 blood drive to him. We have selected someone to dedicate the blood drive to each year since then. This year will be the same and this year we'll dedicate the blood drive to two families who knew James and are a part of James' story. This year's blood drive will be dedicated to Lisa Day and Lori Gurley. Lisa has has been fighting for her life over the past year at Shands Hospital in Gainesville. Lori was diagnosed with cancer in October 2024. Both of these amazing ladies and their families continue to battle. Help them in this battle by donating at next month's James Eunice Legacy Blood Drive. Come join us on January 20 at Northside Baptist Church from 1 to 6 PM and give the gift of life. Find out more at redcrossblood.org. You can use the keyword Eunice to search for the drive and sign up online or just show up that day. We'd love to see you there.

18/12/2025

Christmas is all about giving and Tammy and I want to encourage you to keep that giving spirit into January and give at the 15th Annual James Eunice Legacy Blood Drive on January 20th at Northside Baptist Church. As many of you know, James donated blood for the one and only time on December 23, 2010 at CrossPointe Church. We lost him 23 days later before being recovered 17 days later. We would hear so many stories about James over those 17 days, and one was about the blood drive. James attended Christmas Eve service with our family at Northside Baptist Church, but then left to spend the evening with his friend Emmaline Wilder and her family. Emmaline's mom, Sara, would later tell us about her conversation with James about his experience donating blood. He wrapped it up by telling her, "Somebody's gonna get some awesome blood!".
So come out on the 20th and donate some awesome blood. You can make an appointment online at redcrossblood.org by typing in the keyword Eunice, or just show up on the 20th. Every unit donated can save up to three lives. Keep the giving spirit and give back to help others. This year's drive will recognize two very special people who you can help with your donation. We'll have more details over the next few days. Stay tuned for daily updates, and give the gift of life on January 20th.

05/01/2025

Tammy and I say we try to work with an attitude of gratitude in all we do. That's easy to do as we reflect on all that's been done to help us through the years. This week's James Eunice Legacy Blood Drive is no different. Charlie Crews and his wonderful team at the St Augustine Road Chick Fil A have donated gift cards for our first 45 donors. In addition, each donor will have the opportunity to win great gifts from Mom and Dad's Italian Restaurant, Jack's Chophouse, and South Georgia Pecan Company. Mom and Dad's has donated a $50 gift certificate for one lucky donor. Jack's Chophouse has also donated a $50 gift certificate and South Georgia Pecan has donated a gift basket. You must donate to be register to win one of these three gifts. Give the gift of life to start the new year to make a difference. Join us this Friday, January 10, from 1 to 6 PM at Northside Baptist Church. Sign up online at redcrossblood.org for an appointment or just stop by. We hope to see you there.

James Eunice Legacy Blood Drive

10/01/2026

08/01/2026

05/01/2026

04/01/2026

01/01/2026

31/12/2025

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05/01/2025

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