Non-profit regional blood center Blood Assurance is calling on community members to make a blood donation at a local donor center or bloodmobile as soon as possible to help save local patients’ lives. The organization is in critical need of type O+ blood, the most common blood type, due to a doubling in demand from local hospitals in the last 24 hours. During the summer, there is typically an increase in traumatic incidents resulting in the continuous need for blood donations, officials said.
With the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, many people travel and blood donations decrease, affecting the universal blood supply. Blood Assurance asks the community to take 30 minutes out of their day to replenish the blood supply and help guarantee blood is readily available this holiday weekend. Blood Assurance thanks all donors for giving back to those in need.
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 protein prior to donating.
For questions about donating blood, call 800-962-0628. For more information on Blood Assurance, donating blood or hosting a blood drive, please visit www.bloodassurance.org.