Blood Assurance, EPB and the city of Chattanooga have partnered to host the second annual Give City blood drive on Thursday, July 2, urging members of the community to give life-saving donations in an effort to help meet the increased demand for blood from local health care facilities. Donors may give back to the community during the Give City drive at Blood Assurance’s downtown, Gunbarrel, Hixson and Fort Oglethorpe locations, as well as at the bloodmobile located outside of City Hall from 8:30 a.m.
until 3:30 p.m.
In celebration of the July 4 weekend, Blood Assurance will be giving all donors a customized patriotic-themed backpack as a thank you for donating. In addition, all donors will be entered into a drawing to win a 24-person private suite at an upcoming Chattanooga Lookouts game, courtesy of EPB.
“EPB is proud to partner with Blood Assurance again this year to host the second Give City community-wide blood drive that helps create awareness of the constant need for blood across the Chattanooga region,” said Beth Johnson, marketing manager for EPB. “We encourage all Chattanoogans to make a donation in honor of their neighbors, friends or family members who are in need of this life-changing gift.”
More than 540 volunteer blood donors are needed every day in order to adequately supply the demand of local hospitals. Most recently, there has been a 25% increase in the need for blood at area health care facilities. Additionally, Blood Assurance has experienced a 34% decrease in the number of donors visiting the center in the last few weeks. With a high demand and low supply, Blood Assurance is asking the public to save lives at the Give City blood drive.
“Blood Assurance wants to publicly thank all of our regional blood donors who help make our life-saving mission a reality,” said Charlie Callari, vice president of marketing and donor recruitment for Blood Assurance, Inc. “We hope that Chattanoogans will join together and give back to our city in order to help us strengthen our region’s summer blood supply.”
To be eligible to donate blood, you must be at least 17 years old (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 iron prior to donating.
For more information on Blood Assurance, donating blood or hosting a blood drive, please call 1-800-962-0628.