LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Laughlin Air Force Base members stepped up to the plate Wednesday and donated blood for a base-wide blood drive.

"The blood drive was a great success," said Veronica Galindo, a donor recruitment specialist for South Texas Blood and Tissue Center. "We're very thankful for the help Laughlin members have given,"

Everyday, hospitals throughout the country use 32,000 pints of blood for the medical needs of patients. Locally, 100 hospitals throughout 43 South Texas counties use 500 units daily. 

With blood in such a high demand, providing for this local region is the challenge facing the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center.

"As of July, the Del Rio area had already used nearly 1,000 units of blood.," said Ms. Galindo. 

Ms. Galindo is one of 15 recruitment specialists who travel the area, appealing to local businesses, schools and other groups to give blood.

"It's difficult sometimes, but we just hope everyone will do their part," she said.

In all, 35 people volunteered to donate, exceeding the South Texas Blood & Tissue Center's expectations.

"One gift that nearly everyone is capable of giving is the gift of life," said Galindo. "And with your one pint of blood, three lives could be saved"