A drop in summer donations has created an emergency blood shortage in Georgia and across the U.S.
Blood supplies are now below a two day supply in many areas and hospitals need all blood types, according to LifeSouth Community Blood Centers.
LifeSouth supplies blood to a number of hospitals in Georgia including Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
“It is important to maintain over a two day supply to make sure blood is available when needed for victims of accidents, those having surgery or patients being treated for cancers and other illnesses,” says LifeSouth District Community Development Director Grant Toth.
Toth encourages anyone who can to donate blood during these critical summer months. To be a donor you must be at least 17 years old or 16 with parental permission. You must weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, be in good health, and have a photo ID.
All donors receive a thank you gift, and a mini-physical, including blood pressure, temperature, iron level and cholesterol screen.
Donation sites
Lifesouth’s Gainesville Donor Center is located at 1200 McEver Road. Bloodmobiles are also being set up at locations across the state including here in northeast Georgia.
Thursday, Aug. 1
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Windstream
340 Walmart Way
Unit C
Dahlonega, GA 30533 10am to 4pm
Friday, Aug. 2:
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Windstream
294 GA-515
Blairsville, GA 30512
Saturday, Aug. 3:
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Cleveland Funeral Home
2721 US-129 South
Cleveland, GA 30528
Sunday, Aug. 4:
1 p.m.-7 p.m.
Bruster’s Ice Cream
165 John W. Morrow Parkway
Gainesville, GA 30501
Click HERE for more blood drive locations or visit www.lifesouth.org.
