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The Blood Center strongly encourages the community to donate blood as Hurricane Ian impacts the Gulf Coast

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The Blood Center strongly encourages the community to donate blood as Hurricane Ian impacts the Gulf Coast

 

New Orleans –Blood donors are urged to give as Hurricane Ian affects much of the Gulf Coast. While predictions show the central region of Florida will experience the most significant impact from the storm, preparations need to start now for blood and blood product availability.

 

“We are asking all potential donors, current and first-timers, to commit to donating blood or platelets as soon as possible. In case of an emergency, it’s the blood donated yesterday that will save a patient today” said Billy Weales, President and CEO for The Blood Center. “Donors in neighboring states were there for us in our time of need after Ida. We need to be prepared to help them if asked, but current blood supplies are dangerously low locally and throughout the entire country.”

 

 

 

“Storms always have a level of uncertainty,” says Paul Adams, Public Relations Manager for The Blood Center. “Blood donations need to be made NOW to prepare for any changes in deviation to Ian’s direction. And while our focus remains on the hospitals and patients in our local community, blood donors today could help our neighbors in other Gulf Coast regions during their time of need.”

 

 

 

Current details on upcoming blood drives and center hours can be found at TheBloodCenter.org. Those wishing to host a blood drive for their school, church, community organization or business should call 800-86-BLOOD for more information.

 

 

 

All eligible Southern Louisiana and Mississippi residents should donate now to support our coastal neighbors enduring this massive destructive event.

 

  • In order to maintain a healthy and stable community blood supply, The Blood Center must collect between 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% actually 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.