HOUSTON – KPRC 2 teamed up with the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center for the station's 23rd annual Summer Blood Drive.
The drive kicked off bright and early Thursday morning in the parking lot of KPRC's studio on the Southwest Freeway near Gessner. Dozens of people showed up to roll up their sleeves for a good cause.
KPRC 2 had the chance to talk to Peyton, a 12-year-old dancer and cheerleader who learned that she had leukemia this January after she lost weight and energy.
"My first week back at school I was really tired all the time and I didn't want to go to dance," she said. "I usually love waking up in the morning and going to school, but I didn't want to go to school."
Peyton received numerous blood transfusions during her treatment. She is not the only one. The blood center needs 1,000 donations every single day just to meet demand. That means each donation helps.
"It's really important to donate blood because it saves many, many lives," said Peyton.
Donating isn't hard. The process starts with an easy health questionnaire. Next, you're in the chair and within half-an-hour, you've helped someone, somewhere hold onto their life.
KPRC 2's blood drive runs through June 22. Click here to see locations and times.