Organized through the American Legion Post 330 in Waynesburg, a blood drive is being hosted with one simple goal: to save lives.

While the blood drive isn’t scheduled until July 2, Michele Deems, American Blood Donor chairman for the state of Pennsylvania, said an initial survey has been sent out to local residences to raise awareness and gauge interest.

“The point of doing the survey well in advance [of the actual drive] is because any kind of blood bank wants to know how much support they would get,” Deems said. “If they are only going to get 25 people, why bring in 50 people to do the blood drive? They need to know how many supplies to bring and how much staff to bring and they want to limit your wait time.”

The survey, which was sent out earlier this year, was originally set to end Feb. 15. However, Deems said that date has been pushed to the end of the month. Already, Deems said the reception has been optimistic.

“I’ve had very positive feedback actually,” Deems said. “So far in the last week, I think I’ve had 40 [responses]. I’m hoping to get at least 100 [donors]. The whole goal for the whole community would be 100 pints—I can’t see why that can‘t be accomplished.”

The impact that one pint of blood can have, Deems said, is far reaching — with the ability to save three different lives.

With each donor generally giving one pint, Deems said she hopes to double the interest in the blood drive by the end of the month. Since the event is hosted during the summer, Deems said the demand for blood is higher which heightens the importance of the drive.

“The reason for doing it in the summer time is that the schools are shut down so the demand [for blood] is higher in the summer with more accidents,” Deems said. “The supply is low, the demand is higher, and if they can get kind of a little of a boost — that might help them out a little bit somewhere.”

While Deems said this is the first “community blood drive” to be hosted in the region, she said other past blood drives in Waynesburg generally produce 18 to 22 pints.

Deems said this drive would be hosted at the fairgrounds in Waynesburg.

The blood collected from the event, Deems said, will likely be distributed to local hospitals in the community. Additionally, Deems said for the individuals unable to donate there are other ways in which they can help, like volunteering their time.

Following the drive in July, Deems said she hopes to continue efforts locally, with Washington as a possible location for the next blood drive the next possible location for a blood drive being in Washington.

To Deems, donating blood is more than just a generous gesture but a personalized way to save someone in need.

“I believe [donating] is coming from your heart,” Deems said. “You give because you want to give—to me it is something personal… I feel it is important to touch as many lives as possible — you could be touching a child, you could be touching a mother or a father.”