Parishioners at Transfiguration Church have rolled up their sleeves to donate more than 10,000 units of blood. That means as many as 30,000 people in need of medical care benefited from their efforts.

Members of the Marietta church were recognized by LifeSouth Community Blood Centers for their generosity in helping to save lives.

Transfiguration has been donating blood as a church project for more than 18 years between the American Red Cross and LifeSouth.

The church community is LifeSouth’s largest blood donor in Georgia, according to the organization.

“The partnership that Transfiguration and LifeSouth has formed has made a life-saving difference for thousands in our community,” said Galen Unold, director of recruitment and retention at LifeSouth.

The parish has the most consistent blood drive program and LifeSouth uses it as a model for other volunteer efforts.

On the same day the community accepted the award, some 188 units of blood were collected.

At Transfiguration, blood donations are a community affair. The Men’s Club sponsors the blood drives and the Friendship Circle, led by Ann and Phillip Pascarelli, staffs the snack canteen for donors.

Ed Oudt, the church blood drive chairman for the past 18 years, said the efforts would not have been successful with the support of the parish pastoral staff, especially Msgr. Pat Bishop, the pastor.

“Msgr. Bishop has always given the drives 110 percent of his support,” Oudt said.

A plaque was presented to Msgr. Bishop for the church’s distinguished service and its exceptional leadership by LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, Inc.