Emergency need for blood donors

Contributed

National blood shortages are impacting blood centers across the country, and locally LifeSouth Community Blood Centers also faces emergency need for all blood types.
           
Summer months take a toll on the blood supply, and this year has been especially difficult here in South Alabama and across the country. Our local hospitals, such as Baptist Medical Centers South, Prattville and East along with Jackson Hospital, Flowers Hospital, Southeast Health in Dothan, East Alabama Medical Center and  hospitals in surrounding counties,  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 in Montgomery, Dothan and Opelika, Alabama, along with all of LifeSouth’s bloodmobiles will also be out at many locations in coming days.  For additional information about donation 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.