Blood donors needed for holiday weekend

Matt Boster

Viewed: 1211

Posted by: Matt Boster
Date: May 25 2016 12:16 PM

With the warm weather already here, the summer slowdown of blood donations has started, and LifeSouth is seeking help to avoid shortages during the Memorial Day weekend.

            Blood donors of all blood types are needed, but O-negative and O-positive are currently in shortest supply. Those types are especially needed for the emergencies that frequently pop up during the holidays, since O-negative is the universal donor and can be used by anyone, while O-positive can be used by anyone with a positive blood type, which is about 85 percent of the population.

            Platelet donors are also needed. Platelets, which are vital for clotting and often used by cancer and trauma patients, can only be used for five days after donation, so there is a constant need for donors.

            As we celebrate Memorial Day please remember your community and donate blood, your friends and neighbors are counting on you. Donors must be healthy, 17 or older or 16 with parental permission and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds. A photo ID is also needed. For information on LifeSouth blood drives or locations, call toll-free 888-795-27077 or go to www.lifesouth.org.

 

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