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The Blood Center, the area’s largest provider of blood and blood components, is experiencing increasing demands for all blood types. While transfusion demands continue to increase nationally, donor response is diminishing. The Blood Center has less than a two-day supply of blood and blood components on hand. Without the immediate support of area residents to replenish local supplies, patient care throughout our region could be severely jeopardized.

“Due to the limited blood supply available across the United States, importation from other areas of the country is not possible” says Billy Weales, President and CEO of The Blood Center. “We must rely on the citizens within the communities serviced by The Blood Center to donate NOW to replenish regional inventory to acceptable levels to meet any area transfusion and/or trauma demands.”

According to America’s Blood Centers and the American Red Cross, centers nationwide have reported declines in blood collections in recent weeks. Some have reported their lowest donor turnout in more than a year. These trends are concerning, as both patients and blood centers depend on the altruism of donors to ensure that blood is available for life-saving treatments. The Blood Center needs to collect 300- 350 units of blood daily to serve over 60 area hospitals in Southern Louisiana and Mississippi.

TBC is screening for COVID-19 antibodies of all blood donations to identify potential convalescent plasma donors. Results are available within 3-5 days after donation. Call (800) 86-BLOOD or visit TheBloodCenter.org for locations and hours.

Due to COVID concerns:

• Blood centers across the country are taking extra measures to ensure both donors and staff are safe and healthy, including social distancing measures and increased infection control
• Eat a good meal before donating and visit org the day of donation to begin the registration screening to accelerate the donation process.
• Donors need to wear a mask, be in good health, a 110 lbs. and 17 years of age (or 16 with a parent’s consent)

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.