Non-profit regional blood center, Blood Assurance, calls on community members to make a blood donation at a local donor center or bloodmobile as soon as possible. Currently, Blood Assurance is on a one day supply of A negative blood and a two day supply of O negative and O positive blood. Donating blood takes roughly 30 minutes, and just one blood donation can help save three lives.
“Many folks have been travelling or experiencing illness and have not been able to donate blood. Our blood supply is critically low right now, and we are asking the community to take a few minutes out of their day to give back and help save local patients’ lives,” said Mindy Quinn, Marketing Manager for Blood Assurance.
Presently, all blood donors will receive an April Volunteer Blood Donor t-shirt (while supplies last) and automatically be entered to win a $100 Lowe’s gift card as a thank you for making a donation. While all blood types make a difference, types O-, O+ and A- are especially needed.
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, please call 800-962-0628. For more information on Blood Assurance, donating blood or hosting a blood drive, please visit bloodassurance.org.
