An urgent need for all blood types has been announced by LIFELINE Blood Services today. West Tennessee’s blood supply is at a critically low level and LIFELINE is in dire need of donors willing to roll up their sleeves as soon as possible.
“A common belief is that most blood is needed after major disasters. However, daily personal emergencies and the ongoing medical needs of thousands of patients require a constant and ready blood supply. It’s the blood already on hospital shelves that saves lives. West TN patients rely on your donations for their care, and we need those donations now more than ever. We cannot manufacture blood products, so please consider donating TODAY!” said Melinda Reid, Marketing Manager with LIFELINE Blood Services.
The shortage is caused by several canceled community blood drives due to the recent weather.
LIFELINE has a special Center promotion. Anyone who donates at our Jackson or Dyersburg Centers will be registered to win 2 of 4 tickets to see the Braves play in Atlanta. On March 3rd we will draw 2 winners for two different games!
“This is a critical appeal, and we need everyone to donate at either our Jackson or Dyersburg Center or on one of our mobile blood drives in order to save lives. Massive traumas occur without warning, making it imperative that volunteers donate whenever they can to ensure blood is available at all times,” said Melinda Reid, Marketing Manager with LIFELINE Blood Services.
LIFELINE Blood Services, located at 183 Sterling Farms Drive, is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Walk-ins are welcome. The Dyersburg Center is located at 1130 HWY 51 Bypass, Suite 19 & 20, and is open Saturday and Wednesday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sunday through Tuesday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
This week’s Community Mobile Blood Drives are listed below:
Monday, Feb. 24
West TN Healthcare- Henry Co. Medical Center
9am-12noon, 12:30pm-4pm
Tuesday, Feb. 25
Jackson Madison. Co. General Hospital
10am-11:30am, 12noon-5:00pm
Wednesday, Feb. 26
East Chester Elementary School
12:30pm-5:30pm
Thursday, Feb. 27
TCAT- Henry/Carroll
9:00am-1:00pm
Friday, Feb. 28
Alamo Elementary School
1:00pm-5:00pm
Greenfield School
11:30am-4:30pm
LIFELINE Blood Services plays a critical role in serving 21 counties in West Tennessee, including 17 hospitals, 21 emergency helicopter service locations, and one ground ambulance service. Annually, the Center collects approximately 26,000 blood products (red cell units, platelets, plasma, etc.) to meet the needs of patients. Of that total, 75% of those products are usually collected on the bloodmobiles across West Tennessee. LIFELINE also provides reference lab and cross-matching services to healthcare facilities. For more information, visit lifelinebloodserv.org.