Hundreds donate blood for Barksdale explosion victims; more donations expected

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) - Days after two men were badly injured in a gas well explosion at Barksdale Air Force Base, LifeShare Blood Center is sharing new details on how many people have donated blood for the victims.

According to Ben Prijatel, a Lifeshare official, more than 200 people have rolled up their sleeves on behalf of the two men: Adam Purland and Clay Moock.

Hundreds of people continue to donate blood for two men severely burned in an explosion at Barksdale AFB. Tonight on @KSLA, I’ll introduce you to one man who will inspire you to drop what you’re doing and donate. pic.twitter.com/bD2PumzI75
— Christian Piekos (@ChristianPiekos) April 21, 2022

Prijatel added that hundreds more donations are expected in the days to come.

For those planning to donate, LifeShare plans to operate on extended hours this weekend to meet the demand. The blood center is also making the call to remain open Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. — a day they are normally closed.

“We want to be open for our community to make sure they have a place to come donate,” said Brandon Baker, who works at LifeShare.

“We’re so grateful and thankful for our community really stepping up and coming together to donate so much blood on behalf of these two families,” said Baker. “In just two to three days, we’re at a point where over 1,000 lives have been impacted.”

Teams of LifeShare employees are also converging on the northwest Louisiana locations in Shreveport-Bossier to help expedite the process.

LifeShare encourages donors to eat and drink plenty before their scheduled donation, as well as to bring ID.