Non-profit regional blood center, Blood Assurance, is in critical need of blood donors, especially those with type O negative blood. Due to increased hospital usage and lower blood donations, the organization is at a one day supply for type O negative blood, the universal blood type, and a two day supply for A negative as well as AB plasma, the universal plasma type.
“We need 75 O negative donors to come through our centers and drives every day this week in order to replenish our supplies and have blood available for emergency services and hospitals,” said Mindy Quinn, Marketing Manager for Blood Assurance.
The organization is asking the community to please consider taking 30 minutes out of their day to make a donation that will help save lives and meet the needs of area hospital patients. 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, please call (423) 756-0966. For more information on Blood Assurance, donating blood or hosting a blood drive, please visit www.bloodassurance.org.
