A single blood donation can mean the difference between life and death, and Eagle County Paramedic Services (ECPS) is asking the community to step up.

In partnership with the American Red Cross, ECPS will host a blood drive on Friday, May 22, from 9 a.m. - 2 p.m. at the Edwards Station (1055 Edwards Village Blvd, Edwards), giving residents a direct way to support emergency care both close to home and across the country.

For ECPS, blood isn’t abstract: It’s a critical, lifesaving tool carried in the field. In October 2025, ECPS received its first units of whole blood; in November, ECPS administered whole blood for the first time in the field. The agency is among a growing number of care providers nationwide equipped to administer whole blood transfusions before patients ever reach a hospital, dramatically increasing survival chances in cases of severe trauma and medical emergencies.

That blood comes from donors.

“Every unit we carry starts with someone willing to give,” Brandon Daruna, CEO of ECPS said. “Our patients depend on it in their most critical moments. This blood drive is a chance for our community to be part of that chain of survival.”

While donations collected in Eagle County may be distributed wherever the need is greatest, each pint helps sustain the national blood supply that frontline providers rely on every day—including here in Eagle County.

The need is constant and supplies remain tight. 

“We’re pleased to offer this opportunity for our community,” Daruna said. “We’d love to see as many members of our community who can make it sign up to give.”

Appointments are strongly encouraged. Schedule an appointment at redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code EdwardsCO or call 1-800-RED-CROSS. Bring a photo ID or your blood donor card, or two other forms of I.D. You can save up to 15 minutes when you donate blood using RapidPass - visit redcrossblood.org/rapidpass for more information.