National blood shortages are impacting blood centers across the country, and locally, LifeSouth Community Blood Centers have emergency need for all blood types.
Summer months take a toll on the blood supply, and this year has been especially difficult here in north Alabama and across the country. Hospitals like Huntsville Hospital, Marshall Medical Centers, Decatur Morgan Hospital, Cullman Regional, North Alabama Medical Center and eight others rely on LifeSouth and LifeSouth blood donors to make sure blood is available before it is needed. All blood types are necessary, and donors are asked to donate now to ensure local hospitals have the blood needed to help patients suffering from traumas, cancers and chronic illnesses.
First-time donors are always welcome and encouraged to give blood donation a try. All donors receive a thank-you gift and a mini-physical, including blood pressure, temperature, iron level and cholesterol screen.
Donors must be at least 17, or 16 with parental permission, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. A photo ID is needed. LifeSouth’s donor centers are in Albertville, Huntsville, Madison, Decatur and Florence. LifeSouth’s bloodmobiles will also be out at many locations in coming days (See schedule of upcoming blood drives below). For additional information about donations or to find a blood drive near you, call LifeSouth toll-free at 888-795-2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org. Appointments can also be made online.
LifeSouth Blood Drives July 23-27 by TheCullmanTribune on Scribd
