Pictured: Cindy Pare holds her father’s photograph while daughter Emma Pare donates.
Blood inventory levels are still seriously low at Blood Assurance. Blood Assurance is a regional non-profit blood center that serves 47 counties throughout Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and Virginia. More than 440 blood donors are needed every day in order to supply blood to patients in need at the 70 healthcare facilities Blood Assurance provides with blood and blood components.
While some donors are answering the call, more are needed. Cindy Pare, an O negative blood donor, came in with her daughter, Emma, who is O positive when she found out about the low inventory levels.
Cindy and Emma donated in honor of J.D. Wooten, Cindy’s father and Emma’s grandfather. Mr. Wooten was a longtime blood donor until he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. While undergoing cancer treatment, Mr. Wooten received multiple transfusions. He passed away on March 9. His family wants to carry on his legacy by continuing to donate in his memory. Cindy Pare said “The doctors only gave him 3 to 4 months to live when he was diagnosed. He lived because blood donors came in to give. We had him with us for 29 more months because they cared.”
Donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent form) and weigh 110 pounds or more. The process usually takes about 30 minutes and includes a complimentary snack and t-shirt. 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 about Blood Assurance, please visit www.bloodassurance.org or call 1-800-962-0628.