Blood donors needed right away!

All blood types are in immediate need by area hospitals as they experience heavy demand. With the recent holiday weekend and the official start to summer, the blood supply is being affected. Many area hospitals are reporting an increased need for blood. All the while, fewer donors are turning out to donate because of holiday travel and the start of summer break. The Blood Connection (TBC) is encouraging blood donors to make a blood donation as soon as possible, to ensure that supply is available to meet demand. Donors can give at any one of TBC’s donation centers or visit the website to find a blood drive. To make an appointment, please call 1-800-392-6551 or go to www.thebloodconnection.org. TBC is also adding additional blood drives in local communities. Walk-ins are welcome.  “The week that follows a holiday is particularly difficult as we work to keep blood inventories stable.” said TBC President and CEO Delisa English. “We’re encouraging all donors who are healthy and well to look for one of our red buses and check our website for new blood drives. There are patients in our communities who are depending on us.”  The summer season always affects the blood supply as donors go on vacation and school breaks begin. In fact, from Memorial Day Weekend through to the end of August when students return to school, it can be a challenge to keep blood supplies stable. TBC’s mission is to ensure all hospital partners, such as the Oconee Medical Center, have the blood supplies needed for patients at any given time. The following is a list of donation center locations: 435 Woodruff Road, Greenville; 341 Old Abbeville Highway, Greenwood; 1954 East Main Street, Easley; 1308 Sandifer Boulevard, Seneca; 270 North Grove Medical Park Drive, Spartanburg; and 825 Spartanburg Highway, Hendersonville. Blood donors must be healthy, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be 17 years old or 16 with written parental consent.  To ensure that hospital needs for blood are uninterrupted, TBC is requesting whole blood and platelet donations. All blood types are needed.