Emergency Appeal For Blood Issued

PRESS RELEASE

TUPELO, Miss. — Plummeting blood donations since the Memorial Day holiday has forced United Blood Services to issue an emergency appeal for all blood types, especially all Rh negative types: A-negative, B-negative, AB-negative and O-negative. The 4^th of July holiday has worsened the severity of low blood inventory levels. As the community blood provider for this area and stewards of the community blood supply, maintaining an adequate supply of all blood types is imperative. Reserves of blood are depleted to a less than one-day supply on the shelves. Since it takes 24 to 36 hours to test and process each donation before it can be released for a patient, blood is being transfused as fast as United Blood Services can provide it to hospitals. UBS supplies blood to Baptist Memorial-Golden Triangle and many other hospitals in North Mississippi. Donors of all types are urgently needed to give blood now. To schedule a blood donation online, visit www.bloodhero.com or call/text United Blood Services at 662-321-9988.

“Unfortunately, due to high patient usage and fewer donations from the public, we find it necessary to alert the public about the dire need for all blood types, especially the Rh negative types,” said Mitzi Breaux, Marketing and Communications Manager, United Blood Services. “If you are eligible to donate, please give now!” Breaux said.

Donors with Rh negative blood types should ask a United Blood Services staff member about doubling their impact by donating double red cells.

Appointments are highly recommended. Knowing how many to expect means we are better able to serve our donors. However, walk-ins are welcome. To schedule a blood donation online, go to www.bloodhero.com or call/text United Blood Services at 662-321-9988.

Donors have several opportunities to donate this week in the Columbus area:

WCBI-TV on Wed., July 6, from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m.

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Sunday, July 10, from 8 a.m. until 12 noon

Donors can also donate at the Tupelo donor center located at 4326 S. Eason Blvd. The center takes donors five days a week: Monday 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.- Tuesday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.-Wednesday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.-Thursday CLOSED- Friday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. – Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Sunday CLOSED.

Donors can also visit www.UnitedBloodServices.org the day of their donation and click on the “FastTrack.” This allows donors to complete the interview portion of their donation online, in the privacy of their home or office. Make sure to print your “Fast Track donation ticket” and bring it with you to your donation.

Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Additional height/weight requirements apply to donors 22 and younger, and donors who are 16 years of age must have signed permission from a parent or guardian. The 16 year old donor permit form can be located at www.UnitedBloodServices.org. Donors receive a free cholesterol test. Donors also earn points in our “Hero in Me” online rewards store. Points can be redeemed for movie tickets, pizza, shopping cards and more at www.bloodhero.com. A photo ID is required to donate. For more information, call 662-842-8871.