LifeSouth Community Blood Centers faces emergency need for all blood types, and encourages the community to donate blood.
Summer is historically a slow time for blood donations due to travel and school breaks, while the need to help patients in local hospitals remains constant. This summer continues to be a challenge not only to LifeSouth, but also to blood centers across the country.
“Donations have decreased exceptionally this summer, and patients at our hospitals are depending on donors to give blood,” said LifeSouth District Director, Ed Keith.
LifeSouth encourages donors to come in to one of their donor centers or find a blood drive location on their website, www.lifesouth.org. First time donors are always welcome and encouraged to give blood donation a try. All donors are important to help meet the needs of the local blood supply.
LifeSouth only uses the word “emergency” when the reserve supply to restock area hospitals drops below a two-day level. All blood types are needed, especially negative blood types and O negative, which is the universal donor and can be used by all patients in an emergency. Platelet donations are also critically needed now.
“Patients at our hospitals depend on blood donors to survive. We need the help of our donors and new donors today,” Keith said.
All donors receive a thank you gift, and a mini-physical, including blood pressure, temperature, iron level and cholesterol screen.
Donors must be at least 17 or 16 with parental permission, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. A photo ID is needed. LifeSouth’s donor center in Brooksville is located at 12395 Cortez Blvd.. LifeSouth’s bloodmobiles will also be out at many locations in coming days (see attachment for schedule of upcoming blood drives). For additional information call LifeSouth toll-free at 888-795-2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org.
LifeSouth Blood Mobile Schedule
Friday, July 21
Hernando County Library; 6335 Blackbird Ave. Spring Hill
10:00a.m. to 4:00p.m.
Walmart
1485 Commercial Way Spring Hill
10:30a.m. to 6:00p.m.
Sam’s Club
13360 Cortez Blvd. Brooksville
4:30p.m. to 6:30p.m.
Saturday, July 22
Hernando Kidz Fest & Backpack Event
Hernando County Fair Grounds
6436 Broad St. Brooksville 9:30a.m. to 3:00p.m.
Marshall’s Department Store
7143 Coastal Landing Brooksville
12:00p.m. to 7:00p.m.
Walmart
7305 Broad St. Brooksville
3:30p.m. to 6:30p.m.
Sunday, July 23
Christian Church in the Wildwood
10051 Country Rd. Weeki Wachee
8:00a.m. to 1:00p.m.
Walmart
13300 Cortez Blvd. Brooksville
10:00a.m. to 4:30p.m.
Sam’s Club
13360 Cortez Blvd. Brooksville
1:30p.m. to 5:00p.m.
Monday, July 24
Walmart
1485 Commercial Way Spring Hill
9:30a.m. to 5:30p.m.
Walmart
7305 Broad St. Brooksville
11:00a.m. to 6:00p.m.
Tuesday, July 25
Walmart
13300 Cortez Blvd. Brooksville
10:00a.m. to 5:30p.m.
Sumter County Sheriff’s Office
1010 N. Main St. Bushnell
11:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.
Wednesday, July 26
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
6131 Commercial Way Brooksville
8:00a.m. to 2:00p.m.
Wellington Community
400 Wexford Blvd. Brooksville
9:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.
Walmart
7305 Broad St. Brooksville
2:30p.m. to 6:00p.m.
Walgreen’s Pharmacy
4096 Mariner Blvd. Brooksville
3:30p.m. to 5:30p.m.
Thursday, July 27
Walmart
1485 Commercial Way Spring Hill
10:00a.m. to 5:30p.m.
Subway Restaurant
19438 Cortez Blvd. Brooksville
11:00a.m. to 6:00p.m.
All donors receive a coupon for a free sub courtesy of Subway