Shepeard Community Blood Center host “Top 20 Luncheon” for their top organizations

Isabella Moody
·2 min read

RICHMOND COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) – A Richmond County Sheriff’s Deputy who was shot in the line of duty is using his experience to help the Shepeard Community Blood Center to continue to save lives.

The Shepeard Community Blood Center recognized some of the organizations that held blood drives at its “Top 20 Appreciation Luncheon”, which featured Deputy Kenneth Mercer as the keynote speaker.

“Giving blood is the most precious gift that anyone can give to another person, and I was a recipient on the other end of that,” said Deputy Kenneth Mercer of Richmond County. “On July 8th of 2023, I was critically wounded in an officer-involved shooting. I was shot in the neck. It stuck my carotid artery, spine, and shoulder blade and collapsed one of my lungs. I was told that the odds were against me, but by the grace of God, I survived.”

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Deputy Mercer thanked the Augusta/Richmond County Fire Department, Gold Cross, Augusta University Medical Center, and Shepeard Blood Center for saving his life.

“I just really appreciate Deputy Mercer for sharing his story. It’s not an easy story to share,” said Benjamin Prijatel, CEO of Shepeard Blood Center. “And for motivating others to go out there and do the work that they’re doing. These 20 drive chairs collect 36 hundred units of blood every year. I mean, these are lifesavers, and they’re not recognized. And we’re changing that this year.”

All blood donated to Shepeard remains local, and the CEO says keeping it in the community is vital.

“I think people who donate blood they don’t know how crucial it is, how important it is, and how local It is. Everyday treatment is, you know, postponed or delayed because blood is not available,” said Prijatel.

There are four Shepeard locations in the Augusta area where you can donate blood. You can find the locations on their website.

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