The following is a release from United Blood Services:

LAFAYETTE, LA- United Blood Services would like to invite you to participate in a replenishment blood drive for Drill Sergeant Cruz Stansbury. The blood drive will be held at the Lafayette Memorial U.S. Army Reserve Center, 1640 Surrey Street in Lafayette, on Saturday, October 17^th from 8a.m. to 4p.m. You can schedule an appointment to donate at www.BloodHero.com and use sponsor code: cruzstansbury. Drill Sergeant Cruz used over 20 units of blood due to injuries he sustained in a motorcycle accident.

Drill Sergeant Cruz Stansbury is currently assigned as a Drill Sergeant to 1^st Battalion 378^th Regiment in Lafayette. He has served in the Army for seven years. His previous assignment was a Fire Support Specialist with a Combat Tour from 2011-2012. Drill Sergeant Cruz has three children, ages five, eight and ten. Drill Sergeant Cruz was born and raised in New Iberia.

Drill Sergeant Cruz wants people to know the importance of blood donations because he knows if blood donors would not have donated prior to his accident, he would not be with us today. This event reminds us that when tragedies happen, blood needs to be on-hand and readily available. The only way to ensure an ample blood supply at all times is for blood donors to donate on a regular basis, we recommend at least three times a year.

In a situation like this tragic event, O-negative red cells and AB plasma are especially vital. As universal blood type(s) they can be transfused in emergencies when there’s no time to do a cross-match. We encourage people with O-negative and AB blood types to donate regularly throughout the year.

Donors can visit www.unitedbloodservices.org the day of their donation and click on the “Health History Questionnaire”. This allows donors to complete the interview portion of their donation online, in the privacy of their home or office. Make sure to print your “Fast track ticket” and bring it with you to your donation.

Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Additional height/weight requirements apply to donors 22 and younger, and donors who are 16 years of age must have signed permission from a parent or guardian. The 16 year old donor permit form can be located at www.unitedbloodservices.org. A photo ID is required to donate. For more information, call 337-235-LIFE(5433).