Blood Assurance need still critical
Blood Assurance, which has a donor center in Fort Oglethorpe, is in critical need of blood donations. There is currently a blood shortage and a recent trauma has further exhausted the blood supply.
“We are experiencing a critical need at this time,” said Dr. Elizabeth Culler, medical director at Blood Assurance.
There was a trauma at an area hospital last week that used most of the A+ supply. Blood Assurance has been in urgent need for 2 weeks and has had several high usage patients. They are in need of A+, A-, B+, B-, O-, O+, and ABdonors NOW!
“Because we are in critical need, we are asking healthy donors to please come replenish the supply,” said Jay Baumgardner, director of community relations at Blood Assurance. “If you are able to donate, we ask that you take 30 minutes out of your day to save lives in your community.”
The Fort Oglethorpe Blood Assurance donation center is at 2720 Lafayette Road, next to Sear’s Shoe Store near the Battlefield Entrance. Hours for donations are Mon.-Fri. 9:30 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and Sat. 9 a.m.1 p.m. The local center’s phone number is (706) 861-5983.
Each donation of blood contains plasma, red blood cells and platelets that can be used to save up to three lives. 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. All blood used at hospitals is given by volunteer donors only.
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 800-962-0628 or text ‘BAGIVE’ to 444999.
Blood Assurance is a nonprofit, full-service regional blood center serving 51 counties and more than 76 health care facilities in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and Virginia.