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.