CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Feb. 2, 2022) – A trauma and an overall decline of blood donations has led to a critical need for blood donors at Blood Assurance. The trauma used a significant amount of A+ and other types are in need because of an ongoing shortage of blood.
Blood Assurance is asking all eligible members of the community to give blood, platelets and plasma to help bolster the supply.
“Blood Assurance and blood banks across the nation have experienced a significant drop in donations since March 2020,” said Dr. Liz Culler, medical director of Blood Assurance. “We have already been running low on several types and traumas like this exhaust the supply we have.”
As of Wednesday morning, there was less than two-day’s supply of O-positive, A-positive, A-negative and B-negative blood in the Blood Assurance service area. A five-day supply is needed at all times to be prepared for traumas.
Blood donors are encouraged to walk-in to a Blood Assurance drive or center to give blood as soon as possible. Red cell donors can schedule an appointment or find a local drive or center by visiting bloodassurance.org/schedule, calling 800-962-0628, or by texting BAGIVE to 999777. Donors interested in giving platelets or plasma are encourage to call their closest center. A list of centers and contact info can be found at bloodassurance.org/contact-blood-assurance. All donors will receive a special “DONOR HEARTTHROB” T-shirt.
To be eligible to donate blood, you must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids — avoiding caffeine — and eat a meal that is rich in iron prior to donating.
About Blood Assurance
Blood Assurance is a nonprofit, full-service regional blood center serving more than 70 health care facilities in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky and North Carolina. Founded in 1972 as a joint effort of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society, the Chattanooga Area Hospital Council and the Chattanooga Jaycees, the mission of Blood Assurance is to provide a safe and adequate supply of blood and blood components to every area patient in need.
