LifeShare blood drive under way
Center aims to collect 250 units amid summer shortage
LifeShare Blood Center is having its annual blood drive to shore up the blood supply during the summer months, a time typically slow for blood donation and high in usage.
The United We Give, United We Live blood drive, formerly known as MASH Bash, takes place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at LifeShare, 1321 College Drive, Texarkana, Texas. Center officials hope to collect 250 units of blood during the event which started Thursday.
“As usual in the summer months it tends to be there are more patients needing blood because they’re out doing more things but we also have less blood donors,” said Theresa Westbrook, LifeShare center director.
And with Tropical Storm Cindy moving inland Thursday, this year’s event is even more important because some of the LifeShare centers in southern Louisiana are closed.
“With the weather in the southern region of Louisiana, we had to shut down one of our centers so we’re trying to draw for them as well,” Westbrook said. “We always try to have a two-day supply on hand but with any major thing, that supply wouldn’t last long and it takes at least 24 hours for the blood you donate to be tested and make it to the hospital.”
People who donate during the blood drive will receive a special T-shirt, Chick-Fil-A coupons, sandwiches and chips at the center. On Saturday, Hooters will be bringing wings and fried pickles for donors.
Donating blood takes less than an hour in most cases.
“It’ll take 15 minutes to be interviewed and 15 to 30 minutes to donate depending on what type of donation they do,” Westbrook said.
The most needed blood type is O-negative because it can be given to any one no matter the blood type. O-positive can be donated to any one with a positive blood type but all types are needed.
“Right now we can use any type of blood,” Westbrook said.
Blood products are used for people facing a variety of health issues, including those being treated for cancer, accidents, transplants and more.
“It’s important. If you don’t give blood for your community then we can’t expect it to be available when we need it for our loved ones. It can’t be manufactured. It must be from volunteer donors,” Westbrook said.
Walk-in donors are welcome but appointments can also be made at Lifeshare.org.