Today Indy Style’s Amber Hankins visited a telethon at Versiti Blood Center of Indiana to help encourage the community to donate blood.

Barry Landy, veteran and life long blood donor is one of the people she spoke to while there who had a very inspiring story.

The goal for Feb., 5 was to schedule 1,000 appointments to avert a blood shortage in the days and weeks ahead.

Community members across the state were asked to call Versiti’s telethon phone bank and pledge 3 donations.   

As champions of the community, area leaders joined Versiti to relay the importance of blood donation to the well-being of those who call the Hoosier state home.

This is what community is all about – giving back. Reaching out to neighbors and friends in time of need is what Hoosiers do. This is one of those times.

Versiti relies on the generosity of the community to advance its mission and ensure area hospitals have the blood products they need to save lives.

The dip in donations over the winter months due to weather and seasonal illnesses, have made it very difficult to bring in donations, but the need is still there each and every day for patients.

Versiti is the provider of blood products to more than 50 hospitals in Indiana.

That is a mission and commitment that cannot be achieved without support.  It takes the generosity of the community.

Call 317-916-5150 or visit Versiti.org/Indiana to pledge 3.

THIS SEGMENT IS SPONSORED BY VERSITI BLOOD CENTER.