WUFT-TV/FM | WJUF-FM
1200 Weimer Hall | P.O. Box 118405
Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 392-5551

A service of the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida.

© 2024 WUFT / Division of Media Properties
News and Public Media for North Central Florida
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Batman and Robin Recruit Real Life Superheroes To Give Blood

Not all heroes wear a mask.

"It took a nurse to hand me a comic book, a spiderman comic book to be specific, when I was a child, to change my life," Superheroes for Hope President James Coats said.

Without the help from LifeSouth blood donations and medical professionals, James Coats would not be standing here today.

This is why he has brought Batman and Robin from "Superheroes for Hope" to LifeSouth Community Blood Centers to get more people to come and donate.

LifeSouth Community Blood Centers Director Laura Bialeck and Coats are teaming up to recruit more heroes.

"We really want to get that message out to them that we appreciate everything they do and in our minds they are saving lives in the community,” Bialeck said.

Bialeck said that LifeSouth workers think everyone who walks through this door is a hero.

"For the few minutes that it takes to make a life saving donation, you can stand here and take your picture with these things and just realize that you are part of the hero-making process," Coats said.

The display has different versions of Batman and his sidekick, Robin, from 1966, the '90s and 2016.

Rossana Vilar has experience with donations. She has donated her blood and her father has received organs that saved his life, so she is an advocate for blood and organ donations.

"If you can extend someone's life, you are not only a superhero to that person but also all their family members and everyone who loves them and wants them around," Vilar said.

The process of donating blood takes about 30 minutes and each donation can save up to three lives.

Rachelle is a reporter for WUFT News who can be reached by calling 352-392-6397 or emailing news@wuft.org.