The Blood Center urges community blood donations with matching financial assistance to Ukrainian Refugees 

The Blood Center urges community blood donations with matching financial assistance to Ukrainian Refugees 

The Blood Center (TBC) is now providing assistance to those being impacted by the conflict with Russia in Ukraine. The Blood Center will offer all blood donors the option to choose “Ukraine Support” in lieu of other recognition items and if chosen by the donor, TBC will provide a financial contribution on behalf of the donor in support of Ukrainian refugees. 

“The Blood Center is keeping a close eye on the humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine and the surrounding allied states”, says Billy Weales, President and CEO of The Blood Center. “The women, children and elderly seeking refuge from the Ukraine conflict need our help. While we need to keep the blood donated in our community for local healthcare due to the lingering national shortage, sending financial assistance is a small, but easy decision to make.” According to a tracker from the United Nations refugee agency, over 2.5 million Ukrainians have fled the country due to the war. 

For every unit of blood donated, TBC will provide a financial contribution to support relief efforts that will go to food, safe drinking water, shelter, medical supplies, emergency health care and other necessities. Financial contributions will be provided through Razom (meaning “together”) for Ukraine, an organization only involved in the Ukraine and is supported by the Ukrainian embassy. Razom for Ukraine is a 501©3 not-for-profit organization and additional information about the organization can be found at razomforukraine.org. To find a donation location, call (800) 86-BLOOD or visit TheBloodCenter.org for center locations and hours. 

To maintain a healthy and stable community blood supply, The Blood Center must collect 200 to 250 pints of blood every day. Donating blood is safe, simple and takes less than an hour. Just one pint can help save up to three lives. 

About 60% of the population is eligible to donate blood, but only 5% do. Donors must be in good health, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be at least 17 years of age (or 130 pounds and 16 with a signed TBC parental consent form) to donate blood. 

The Blood Center is a non-profit community service organization dedicated to providing blood and blood components to patients throughout Southern Louisiana and Southern Mississippi. For more information on blood donation, please call (800) 86-BLOOD or visit TheBloodCenter.org. Find The Blood Center on social media at @TheBloodCenter.