FLORENCE- As Easter weekend approaches, many are enjoying a spring break. But
for our community’s hospitals, it is one of the most difficult times of the year. Schools and colleges close and people prepare for vacations, prompting a dramatic decline in the blood donations that are essential for our local hospitals to function.
A rise in traffic accidents due to increased travel leads to a higher number of blood transfusions. This causes the community’s blood supply to drop to critically low levels just when it is needed most.
Local hospitals have already begun to feel the impact of spring break on the community’s blood supply, and 
anticipate even lower levels throughout the holiday weekend. A shortage presents a serious problem for hospitals; blood is essential for treating accident victims, cancer patients, newborn babies and many others.
“Every patient whose life is saved by a blood transfusion is someone’s child or parent, husband or wife, coworker or friend, so when there is not enough blood to support the needs of our local hospitals, we suffer as a community,” said Galen Unold, director of recruitment and retention with LifeSouth Community Blood Centers. “We urge everyone to help their community’s hospitals at this difficult time by donating blood as soon as possible.”
Donors must be 17 or older, or 16 with parental permission, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. A photo ID is also required.
For a list of blood drive locations or information about blood donation, donors can call LifeSouth toll-free at 888-795-2707 or go to www.lifesouth.org.
MEDIA RELEASE-TAMARA WATTS/LIFESOUTH COMMUNITY BLOOD CENTERS, INC
