Blood Assurance is in critical need of type O negative blood and type B negative blood. Anyone who is able to give blood is asked to donate to replenish the local blood supply.
Blood Assurance will be in Smithville on Tuesday, August 25th. You may donate blood at the Family Medical Center from 8:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and DeKalb Community Hospital from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.
All blood donated in DeKalb County stays in DeKalb County.
This is the third time this summer that the blood supply has dropped to a critically low level this summer.
“We take every appropriate measure to ensure that our hospitals have enough blood to treat their patients. Part of that approach is to evaluate the amount of blood donations coming in versus the daily demand,” said President and CEO Rick Youngblood.
“Without issuing a critical appeal for more donors, we won’t be able to adequately supply our hospitals this week, which is why we’re trying to get the word out before that happens,” said Youngblood.
As the only regional blood center in the area, Blood Assurance is responsible for providing blood products to all hospitals and healthcare facilities in the region.
Blood Assurance locations are open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 pm. on Saturdays. Donors must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. There is no maximum age restriction for donating blood. For a location near you or to locate a bloodmobile in your area, please call 1-800-962-0628 or visit www.bloodassurance.org