PIEDMONT, S.C. (December 2, 2025) – Twenty-five years ago, Trooper First Class Eric Nicholson made a choice that still saves lives today. On December 6, 2000, at the age of 28, Trooper Nicholson began his day by donating blood with The Blood Connection (TBC)—little did he know this final act of service would continue to ripple through the Upstate.

After leaving the blood donation center and starting his shift, Nicholson responded to a traffic stop in Greenville County when he was ambushed by a suspect who opened fire before he could exit his cruiser—Nicholson was struck multiple times and later succumbed to his injuries at a local hospital. His death serves as a solemn reminder of the risks law-enforcement officers face daily, and his legacy of courage and service continues to inspire the community he protected.

Every year since, the Greenville community has gathered to honor his courage, lift up his family and carry forward the lifesaving legacy he left behind. What began as a memorial has become a yearly reminder of what Trooper Nicholson embodied: service, sacrifice and the belief that helping others is how we strengthen our community.

This year marks the 25th Annual Eric Nicholson Memorial Blood Drive, held Friday, December 5 across Greenville County. To honor this milestone, TBC will donate $10 per donor to Carolina COPS (Concerns of Police Survivors)—supporting families who have lost officers in the line of duty. Each donor will also receive $30 in TBC Rewards and a commemorative challenge coin.

Blood Drive Locations – Friday, December 5:

• Cracker Barrel – 1134 Woodruff Road, Greenville from 3–7 p.m.
• Greenville Law Enforcement Center – 4 McGee Street, Greenville from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. & 3–6 p.m.
• Upstate Warrior Solution – 770 Pelham Road, Greenville from 7 a.m.–12 p.m.

“When patients are running out of options, it’s the blood already on the shelves that gives them another chance,” said Delisa English, President & CEO of The Blood Connection. “This memorial drive transforms heartbreak into hope. Trooper Nicholson’s legacy reminds us that one donation—just one—can be the difference between life and loss.”

Nicholson’s memory also travels every day through the Upstate on a TBC bloodmobile named “Eric”—a rolling tribute to the lives he touched and the ones still being saved because of him.

TBC is the sole provider of all blood products for every Upstate hospital. Donations made during this drive directly support local patients in critical need.

Schedule your appointment, walk-ins are always welcome!

GREENVILLE, S.C. – The Blood Connection (TBC), your community blood center, and Greer Commission of Public Works (Greer CPW), are celebrating 25 years of partnering together to save lives. A blood drive will be held at the Commission of Public Works (301 McCall Street, Greer, SC 29650) on Thursday, June 5 from 8am to 1pm to celebrate this milestone achievement.

Greer Commission of Public Works has hosted over 110 blood drives with TBC that collected over 1,700 donations—greatly contributing to the needs of local patients at community hospitals. As the sole provider of blood products to every hospital in the Upstate, donating blood with TBC directly impacts your family and neighbors.

“Over the years, our blood drives have been more than events—they’ve been acts of kindness, compassion, and a lifeline for so many. Thank you to all employees and customers who’ve made an extraordinary difference,” said Alison Rauch, Greer CPW Public Information Coordinator.

“The Greer Commission of Public Works has dedicated 25 years to saving lives through blood donation,” said Elliott Kelley, Director of Public Relations and Marketing at The Blood Connection. “Their commitment and support in saving lives delivered over 5,000 transfusable products that ensure lifesaving news for a patient somewhere in the Upstate who has run out of options. Thank you for being an example to both public and private organizations, and we look forward to the next 25 years!”

TBC is the exclusive blood provider for all hospitals in the Upstate including Prisma Health, Bon Secours St. Francis, AnMed and Spartanburg Regional Health System.

TBC urges the Upstate to share life with our neighbors on Thursday, June 5! Appointments are encouraged; walk-ins are welcome. To make an appointment, please visit thebloodconnection.org/donate.

CLEMSON, S.C. —The Blood Connection (TBC) and Clemson University’s Alpha Phi Omega Gamma Lambda (APO) chapter were named by the Association for Donor Recruitment Professionals (ADRP) as the School Partner of the Year. This award recognizes outstanding dedication to saving lives within Clemson’s student body and local community. This award celebrates the exceptional commitment demonstrated by Clemson APO in fostering a culture of altruistic donors throughout the years.

“It’s an incredible honor to be awarded School Partner of the Year,” said Lindsey Schmidt, Alpha Phi Omega Annual Blood Bowl Co-Chair. “Alpha Phi Omega – Gamma Lambda has been building this tradition and changing lives for 41 years, so to see our hard work as a chapter get recognized at the national level is extraordinary. We are incredibly thankful for our partnership with The Blood Connection, we have been able to work together, break records and save more lives year after year.”

“We are extremely proud of the students in Alpha Phi Omega for achieving this great honor,” said Doug Hallenbeck, Vice President for Student Affairs for Clemson University. “One of our strategic pillars as a University is to transform lives statewide and beyond, and these students do that on an annual basis by coordinating the Blood Bowl competition. Through their leadership in this important initiative, they save many lives and contribute to the overall health and well-being of the broader population.”

Since 1984, the Clemson Carolina Blood Bowl has been tradition for students, staff and community to join together for friendly competition with one common goal: saving lives. Clemson’s APO is an exemplary leader in college collections and consistent donor recruitment, engaging students throughout the year to participate in this annual tradition.

“For over 40 years, Clemson University has committed one week to hosting a multi-site, week-long blood drive ahead of its rivalry football game,” said Elliott Kelley, Director of Public Relations and Marketing at The Blood Connection. “Through APO’s great support, 2023’s Blood Bowl set record collections totaling over 4,000 units collected over 5 days at 10 locations on campus.”

We are honored to recognize Clemson’s APO as the ADRP School Partner of the Year for making a significant impact to the blood supply in the Upstate, contributing over 24,000 units of blood and saving up to 70,000 lives.

About The Blood Connection

Founded in Greenville, SC, The Blood Connection has been committed to saving lives since 1962. TBC is an independently managed, not-for-profit, community blood center that provides blood products to over 130 hospitals within South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. TBC works diligently to collect blood from volunteer donors to meet the ever-increasing demand. By keeping collections local, TBC serves hundreds of thousands of patients a year in its communities. TBC is licensed and regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. For more information, visit thebloodconnection.org.