Critical need for blood

Non-profit regional blood center Blood Assurance asks healthy community members to make a blood donation at a local donor center or bloodmobile as soon as possible to help replenish the blood supply needed by area hospitals. The local blood supply is critically low due to high hospital usage and widespread flu affecting donors across the region.

“To have a four to five day supply of blood is ideal,” said Christopher Swafford, Vice President of Operations at Blood Assurance. “We currently have a one day supply and if crisis were to occur, we would not be prepared.”

A donation takes about 30 minutes to help guarantee plasma, red blood cells and platelets that can be used to save lives of any age, including premature babies, oncology patients, trauma victims, surgery patients and many more.

Patients undergoing surgery, receiving cancer treatment or organ transplants rely on donated blood, in addition to the unexpected traumas seen at hospitals on a daily basis. With a one day supply, those needs for blood cannot be met.

“We need healthy donors to come replenish the supply,” said Jay Baumgardner, Executive Director of Marketing and Community Relations at Blood Assurance. “If you are under the weather, please ask a friend to give on your behalf.”

To be eligible to donate blood, you must be at least 18 years old (17 and 16 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 protein prior to donating.

For more information visit www. bloodassurance.org or call 706-8615983.