An urgent need for blood donors has federal health officials changing donation guidelines.

A bright spot in these difficult times has been witnessing this community showing its support in any way possible: to small businesses, to local charities and to each other.

UNC REX and WakeMed are partnering with The Blood Connection (TBC) to host a blood drive at PNC Arena in hopes of avoiding a blood shortage during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Right now almost everything is closed and everyone is staying home to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, which is great for flattening the curve, but not so great for centers devoted to collecting blood donations.

More than 1,000 people have signed up for an emergency blood drive being held at PNC Arena on Thursday to help meet the need for donors and blood during the coronavirus pandemic.

Staying home may be the best way to stem the spread of coronavirus, but hospitals and blood banks are hoping people will come out at least once for a big blood drive.