MADISON, Ala. – In the coming days, LifeSouth Community Blood Centers will continue to work with local hospitals, providing them with blood products. It’s important to note that blood is a priority during a storm that may result in bodily injuries to individuals. Trauma centers, such as the one at Huntsville Hospital, will be over worked if this storm results in injuries. In a result of severe injuries that may occur during the storm, the days after the storm are crucial to make up for the blood used.
“We are really going to need our community once again to be ready to roll up their sleeves once the storms pass over,” Kelley McPhail, LifeSouth District Director said.
With severe weather impacting North Alabama, LifeSouth Community Blood Centers have made the difficult decision to cancel some mobile blood drives and close all donor centers for staff and donor safety.
All LifeSouth Donor Centers and Blood Mobile Drives will be closed at 3:00 p.m. on March 17th and reopen March 18th at 9:00 a.m.
LifeSouth, like many blood centers across America, are in an emergency blood appeal. During an emergency appeal, local hospitals have less than a two-day blood supply on their shelves. LifeSouth must collect more than 180 blood product donations every day for patients at 17 north Alabama hospitals, regardless of weather or holiday.
“We have drawn the short end of the stick lately when it comes to weather,” McPhail said.
There is no substitute for human blood, patients rely on blood donations from healthy individuals. Donating ensures blood will be available to help those who may be injured or need a blood transfusion to survive.
All blood donors receive a wellness screen prior to donation and each donation will be tested for COVID-19 antibodies. To find a blood drive close to you or to learn more about the donation process, call LifeSouth’s toll-free number, 1-888-795-2707 or make an appointment at www.lifesouth.org.
