Regular blood donor Jyneal McCrea donates double-reds at the Red Cross blood drive Wednesday.

NEW ULM – The Red Cross community blood drive started Wednesday at the New Ulm Civic Center. The first day of blood drive started strong, with most donation appointments filled.

Jyneal McCrea was one of the first double-red donors. McCrea said she was a regular donor. She first began donating blood when she became eligible as a teenager.

“They like my blood,” McCrea said. Her blood type is O-positive; a highly sought after blood type.

McCrea said the only part of donating the bothered her was watching the needle go into her vein. She the brief pinch was not a problem, but she preferred not to watch it happen. McCrea added that this most recent donation was one of the least painful. She barely felt the pinch of the needle.

“It is so easy to do,” McCrea said of donating blood. “You might as well save a life.”

Organizer Ellen Friedrich said the overall goal for this three-day blood drive was 211 units of blood.

The drive will continue 12 p.m. – 6 p.m. Thursday, June 6 and 8:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday, June 7 at the New Ulm Civic Center.

Donors can make an appointment online or call 1-800-733-2767.