It’s the season of giving and one local community blood center is encouraging people to give the gift of blood.

As the nation’s health care systems collectively catch their breath after surviving the worst blood shortage in 30 years, blood banks in South Carolina are still on edge because the holiday season could be the start of yet another shortage.

In fear of another blood shortage crisis, three local blood centers are urging people to donate during the holiday season.

The Blood Connection (TBC) held a two-week campaign in the beginning of September for all blood drive hosts and donors.

“Right now we are not in a shortage situation. Things got pretty difficult early in January and we’ve slowly and slowly kind of crawled our way out of that where we’re not in a blood shortage. I will say we’re in a blood donor shortage,” explained Smithson.

Expanding its commitment to saving lives in local communities and beyond, The Blood Connection (TBC) is now giving blood donors the chance to lower CO2 emissions, create jobs in Africa and empower women — all while donating blood with their community blood center.