ABC11 Together Blood Drive in Raleigh, Durham, Fayetteville

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- Dozens of people made their way to the Embassy Suites Raleigh Crabtree, The Streets at Southpoint in Durham, and Fayetteville Technical Community College on Wednesday to make a difference in somebody's life.

The ABC11 Together Blood Drive along with the Red Cross teamed up as the agency announced earlier this week that there is a severe shortage in blood donations.

The shortage comes amid winter storms in December 2025 that canceled pre-scheduled drives and an active COVID/Influenza season that has sidelined many donors and made them ineligible to participate.

At its Raleigh location, organizers committed to a goal of 60 people to donate blood. A number of those people made appointments, while others were walk-ins.

For Raleigh donor, Matt Leatherman, the decision to donate blood is personal. His daughter spent months in UNC Hospitals NICU unit after being born prematurely and needed five blood transfusions.



"Coming out and donating blood is my way of paying it forward for others who need it," said Leatherman. "It's incredibly meaningful that all these people are contributing to our community doing something that really matters. I even look at my blood back and think about where is this going to go? I don't know who is going to help. But somebody is going to be in desperate need and that bag is going to be there for them."

Post-donation, participants were given water and snacks while being monitored for several minutes. Additionally, t-shirts were given out to those who donated.

"I know that there can be kind of a mental barrier for coming in here and donating blood, but it's relatively easy," Leatherman added. "The Red Cross makes it as easy as they possibly can. And if you want to do something that matters, this is the top thing to do."

We are happy to report that 192 units were collected from all three locations.

Durham

Fayetteville