This is an archived article and the information in the article may be outdated. Please look at the time stamp on the story to see when it was last updated.

NEW ORLEANS – The Blood Center is urging donors, especially those with type O blood, to give this week.

The Blood Center’s supplies are at critical levels, due to an increase in usage and a decrease in donations.

“Our current inventory levels coupled with shortages occurring throughout the country are placing The Blood Center, the hospitals we serve and potentially area patients in a difficult situation. We need all eligible donors to come forward now and help to replenish an already declining supply,” says Billy Weales, President and CEO for The Blood Center.

All blood types are needed; however, type O is in very high demand.

The Blood Center says that while 60% of the population is eligible to donate, less than 5% actually do.

Here is a list of upcoming blood drives, please consider donating:

  • The Blood Center’s Admin. Office (2609 Canal St)

    Monday, April 15 from 11-4 p.m.

  • Winn-Dixie Destrahan

    April 15 from 2-5:30 p.m.

  • Wal-Mart in New Orleans East

    April 15 from noon- 5 p.m.

  • Bayou Blue Rec Center in Houma

    Tuesday, April 16 from 3:30- 7 p.m.

  • Wal-Mart Gonzales

    April 19 from 1:30-5:30 p.m.

  • Freemaux Town Center in Slidell

    April 20 from 11-5 p.m.

  • Clearview Mall

    April 20 from noon- 7 p.m.

  • Edgewater Mall in Biloxi

    April 20 from 11:30- 5:30 p.m.

  • Mandeville Donor Center

    4350 Highway 22

    11-7 p.m. Tues. & Thurs.; 9-6 p.m. Wed.

  • Metairie Donor Center

    2617 Edenborn Ave

    Noon-8 p.m. Tues. & Thurs.; 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Wed.

  • Slidell Donor Center

    770 Gause Blvd.

    11-8 p.m. Tues., Wed. & Thurs.

  • West Bank Donor Center

    2701 Manhattan Blvd.

    Noon-8 p.m. Tues. & Thurs

 

To maintain a healthy and stable community blood supply, The Blood Center must collect between 300 to 350 pints of blood every day.

Ian Stephens, Hospital Resources Vice President for The Blood Center adds, “We need about three days inventory of blood to maintain a healthy blood supply. Currently there’s less than a day supply of blood and the only way to increase inventory is with community support. We need blood donors to give today, and bring a friend to give too. It’s that serious.”

For more information on blood donation, please call (800) 86-BLOOD or visit TheBloodCenter.org.

Find The Blood Center on social media at @TheBloodCenter.