Scott Overman, a member of local Boy Scout Troop 502 and a sophomore at Bainbridge High School, conducted a blood drive throughout the day Thursday.

The blood drive served as Overman’s Eagle Scout project and his last step before he can attain the prestigious rank.

Overman decided to put on the drive after learning that January is national blood donor month. He said more than 20 donors had pre-registered and more than 50 people had committed to give blood via e-mail and telephone.

To make the drive possible, Overman contacted Tina Phillips with the Southeastern Community Blood Center (SCBC), an organization that collects voluntary blood donation. The center provided workers and their Blood Mobile—where the donations were taken. SCBC provides the blood used at Memorial Hospital and Manor in Bainbridge.

Phillips said the organization has conducted similar blood drives for Boy Scouts in the past.

“They set a goal and we help them attain it,” Phillips said. She explained that it is vital for people to give blood, saying that one pint of blood has the potential to save up to three lives.

The blood drive was held in conjunction with the kick-off and initial weigh-in for the 2009 Team Lean. If they wished, donors could have a sample of their donated blood tested for glucose and cholesterol levels for free, which was offered as a part of Team Lean. Donors also received a free fleece blanket from the SCBC when they gave blood.

Each day in the United States, approximately 39,000 units of blood are used in hospitals and emergency treatment facilities for patients with diseases, organ transplants recipients and to help save the lives of accident victims, according to the American Association of Blood Banks.