Community’s help needed to replenish critically low blood supply

Due to increased hospital usage and lower blood donations, nonprofit regional blood center Blood Assurance is calling on community members to make a blood donation at a local donor center or bloodmobile. Presently, the organization is in critical need of the universal blood type, O negative.

“We are asking the community to help us save lives,” said Dr. Elizabeth Culler, medical director at Blood Assurance. “In times of emergencies and trauma situations, hospitals rely on having a steady supply of O negative blood. There is no replacement for O negative blood, the universal blood type. Blood Assurance is dedicated to providing hospitals with blood that has been tested and shipped days prior to a trauma; but we need your help to accomplish this. Please consider taking 30 minutes out of your day to visit a donor center or bloodmobile to ensure area patients have the blood they rely on during their time of need.”

The organization is asking community members to make a blood donation, which can save up to three lives. Blood donations are used daily to save people of every age including premature babies, oncology patients, trauma victims and surgery patients, among others. Blood Assurance thanks all donors for giving back to those in need.

To be eligible to donate blood, you must be at least 18 years old (16 and 17 years old with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids — avoiding caffeine — and eat a meal that is rich in iron prior to donating. To schedule an appointment at a donor center or blood drive near you, please visit www. bloodassurance.org, call 800-9620628 or text ‘BAGIVE ‘ to 444999.