Blood Donations Needed Ahead of July 4th Surge in Trauma Cases

Issue #484

July 02, 2025

In this What’s Up Columbia issue…

🌤️ Columbia’s Weather - Sunny with a few clouds, high of 88 & low of 65

🩸 Blood Donations Needed Ahead of July 4th Surge in Trauma Cases

📰 Authorities Respond to Bomb Threat at Spring Hill City Hall — All Clear Given After Two Hours

📰 Authorities Respond to Bomb Threat at Spring Hill City Hall — All Clear Given After Two Hours

🗓 List of Upcoming Events

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

👉 Your Guide to Summer Camps & Kids Activities in July! 

🗓 Know of Some Local Events Not Listed? Send us the Details!

Blood Donations Needed Ahead of July 4th Surge in Trauma Cases

With the Fourth of July approaching and trauma cases expected to rise, Blood Assurance is urging donors to step up now. 

The weeks surrounding Independence Day are one of the most challenging times for maintaining a stable blood supply. Donation rates drop as people travel, but the demand for blood surges — especially following traumatic accidents, which often increase during the holiday celebrations.

“People are traveling, schools are out, and routine blood drives slow down, but emergencies don’t take a vacation,” said Garry Allison, Senior Vice President of Operations at Blood Assurance. “We typically see more trauma cases during the summer, particularly around the Fourth. We need the community to act now to ensure blood is available when patients need it most.”

Blood Assurance has multiple donation drives scheduled across Columbia over the next week. Those donation drives include:

• Friday, July 4, at First Fridays in Downtown Columbia, 700 N. Garden St., Columbia,  3:30 – 8 p.m.

• Tuesday, July 8, at Columbia Foodland, 427 W. Seventh St., 2 – 5 p.m.

• Tuesday, July 8, at Parker Filtration Innovation Center, 2203 Oakland Pkwy., Columbia, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Friday, July 11, at Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, 312 E. Eighth Street, Columbia, 2 – 6 p.m.

Additionally, the Columbia Blood Assurance donor center at 1412 Trotwood Ave, #69, Columbia, is open each week Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood — for surgery, cancer treatment, chronic illness or a traumatic injury. Blood can’t be manufactured, so it must come from volunteer donors. A single donation can save up to three lives, but only about 3 percent of eligible Americans actually donate.

Blood Assurance serves as the primary provider for most hospitals in Middle Tennessee including Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia. The nonprofit must collect around 540 donations every day to meet demand.

To thank donors who step up during this critical time, Blood Assurance is offering:

• A $20 e-gift card for all donors with a valid email address on file.

• O-negative and AB plasma donors will get a $25 e-gift card.

• An extra $50 e-gift card for O donors who join the Hero Club and either: Donate double red cells once or Donate whole blood twice by Aug. 31. (Note: To qualify with whole blood, the first donation must occur by July 6)

All blood types are needed. Eligible donors must be at least 17 years old (16 with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more, and be in good health. Eat a hearty meal and drink plenty of water before donating.

To make an appointment visit bloodassurance.org/schedule, call 800-962-0628 or text BAGIVE to 999777. Walk-ins are welcome at any Blood Assurance donor center or mobile drive.

Blood Assurance is a nonprofit, full-service regional blood center serving more than 70 healthcare facilities in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky and North Carolina. Founded in 1972 as a joint effort of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society, the Chattanooga Area Hospital Council and the Chattanooga Jaycees, the mission of Blood Assurance is to provide a safe and adequate supply of blood and blood components to every area patient in need.

Authorities Respond to Bomb Threat at Spring Hill City Hall — All Clear Given After Two Hours

Emergency crews responded to a bomb threat at Spring Hill City Hall early Monday afternoon. The building, located at 199 Town Center Parkway, was evacuated while police secured the scene and investigated the area.

Access to City Hall was temporarily restricted as a precaution. After more than two hours on site, officials determined there was no danger, and the building was safely reopened.

Street Paving Update: Recently Completed Roads

From City of Columbia, TN - Government’s post…

The streets listed above are among the first completed as part of the City of Columbia’s largest-ever paving project—resurfacing 28 miles of city-maintained roads through a $4.5 million investment to improve local infrastructure.

Roads were selected through a comprehensive assessment using advanced technology and machine learning to evaluate pavement conditions and prioritize those in the most critical shape.

To view the list of streets included in the project visit here.

If your street isn’t included in this year’s paving project, it may be:

-Scheduled for upcoming utility work
-Set to receive curb, drainage, or sidewalk upgrades first
-In lower priority based on overall condition

Public Works continues daily road maintenance, repairing 20–35 potholes using up to 2 tons of asphalt.

Report city potholes: 931-388-8650

Report state road issues: 833-TDOTFIX or https://www.tn.gov/tdot/maintenance/potholes

Upcoming Local Events

🗓 Have an event to add? Send us the Details!

Wednesday, July 2nd

Thursday, July 3rd

Friday, July 4th

Saturday, July 5th

Sunday, July 6th

📌 Mark Your Calendars…

July 12: Maury County Sheriff’s Rodeo
July 26: The Awaken House 1 Year Birthday Party
Aug 28 - Sept 1: Maury County Fair & Expo 

🎵 This Week’s Live Music

Wednesday, July 2nd

Austin Byrd, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

Thursday, July 3rd

Songwriters Round w/ George Forbis, Faith Groves & Lillie Kolich, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Todd Ciprian, Tito’s Spring Hill, 6:00-9:00 PM
Second Chance Bluegrass, McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Friday, July 4th

Live Music, The Spot, 5:00 - 8:00 PM
Cross Bridges, Puckett’s, 7:30 - 9:00 PM 
Cord Martin, The Mulehouse, 7:30 PM
Kiersi Joli, Grinder’s Switch, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Saturday, July 5th

Cross Bridges, Amber Falls Winery, 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
The Howlin Embers, Puckett’s, 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Domine, The Mulehouse, 8:00 PM 
Tom Saffell & Robert Johnson, McCreary’s Irish Pub & Eatery, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Sunday, July 6th

Bronwen Fair, Amber Falls Winery, 1:00 - 5:00 PM
Little Secret, The Rebel Bar & Grill, 4:00 PM
Jay Hoppus, Puckett’s, 6:00 - 7:30 PM

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