Donor turnout was low during the holiday weekend and has resulted in a low blood supply, particularly for the Rh negative blood types O-, B-, and A-. LifeShare Blood Center will be in De Kalb at 110 E. Grizzly Dr. from 3:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. today and needs your help.

If that location doesn't work for you maybe this one will be better, the Arkansas side Walmart on Arkansas Boulevard Thursday from 3:30 - 7 p.m. is also holding a blood drive. And, you can always make an appointment by calling the LifeShare Blood Center located at 1321 College Drive at 903-794-3173.

While all blood types are welcome and needed to replenish the supply daily, LifeShare Blood Centers is asking anyone with an Rh- blood type to make plans to give as soon as possible. Donation centers and public blood drives may be found at donor.lifeshare.org/donor/schedules/zip.

“Blood supply is extremely low following the July 4th holiday and we are reaching out to the community to roll up their sleeves and save a life. Donating blood not only saves lives it is also very beneficial for your health. A study published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" states researchers found that donating blood reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes," says Karen Siefert, Donor Recruiter for LifeShare Blood Centers.

Every two seconds, someone, somewhere needs blood. One of every seven people who enter the hospital will need blood. That person may be you, your loved one, friend or co-worker. With all the wonderful advances in modern medicine, there still is no substitute for human blood. The blood that helps patients comes only from caring people who volunteer to help others by donating their life-saving blood.

In the short time it took to read the above paragraph, 11 people needed blood.

A Few FAQs From The LifeShare.org Website:

WHY SHOULD I GIVE BLOOD?
Someone will need blood every two seconds and just one donation can save up to three lives. With all the wonderful advances in modern medicine, there is no manufactured substitute for human blood. It must be provided by volunteer blood donors in the community.

One in three people need blood in their lifetime. If you don't need blood, it's almost certain that someone close to you will. As a community blood center, we provide the blood components to hospitals and medical facilities in the community. After you donate with us, you will be able to review your blood type, cholesterol, blood pressure and other health information on our Donor Portal.

IS IT SAFE TO GIVE BLOOD?
Donating blood is safe and simple. You cannot get AIDS or any infectious disease by donating blood. When you donate, a sterile, single-use kit is used to collect your blood. All materials are used once, and then discarded.

Most donors feel fine during and after donation. Occasionally a person may feel dizzy, nauseous or develop a bruise. If you feel lightheaded, stop what you are doing, lie down, and raise your feet until the feeling passes. Hydrating yourself after donating will help your body replenish lost fluids. If you would like to report further problems, please call 1.800.256.4483.

CAN I GIVE BLOOD?
Anyone age sixteen or older, who meets height and weight requirements, is in good health, and meets donation eligibility requirements may give blood. Sixteen-year-olds must present signed permission from a parent or guardian at each blood donation.

CAN I DONATE BLOOD IF I HAVE A TATTOO AND/OR BODY PIERCINGS?
If you received your tattoo or body piercing in a state-licensed establishment, you may donate blood two weeks after the procedure and if there is no sign of infection. If you received your tattoo or body piercing from a non-state-licensed establishment, you must wait at least one year.

If you received a cosmetic tattoo (for example, permanent eye or lip liner) in a licensed clinical establishment, you may donate blood 72 hours after the procedure and if there is no sign of infection.

CAN I GIVE BLOOD IF I AM PREGNANT?
No, but you can give blood six weeks after giving birth, having a miscarriage or abortion. Nursing mothers are not encouraged to donate as the body is still transferring spare nutrients to milk production.

WHAT IS A WHOLE BLOOD DONATION?
The most frequently donated blood product is whole blood. Anyone who qualifies to give blood may be a whole blood donor and may give one unit of blood every 56 days. The entire donation process takes less than 60 minutes.

CAN I MAKE A DONATION FOR MYSELF OR A FAMILY MEMBER?
Yes you can either make an autologous or directed donation. An autologous donation is one where you donate your own blood and have it safely stored and given back to you during or after a surgery or procedure. Directed donations are those made for a certain patient by a chosen donor or family member with compatible blood type and antigens.

Please speak with your physician first to see if one of these donations is needed. Cooperation between the patient, patient's physician, hospital blood bank, and the blood center is essential to the process of these donations.

- See more at: LifeShare.org

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