Nonprofits asking people to consider donating for World Blood Donor Day

ALABAMA ( WHNT ) – June 14 is World Blood Donor Day, and Blood Assurance and LifeSouth are encouraging everyone to donate and advocate.

According to a letter sent to Congress by America’s Blood Centers – including Blood Assurance and LifeSouth – only 3% of Americans donate blood each year, despite the FDA expanding the pool of eligible donors.

Blood donation also tends to dwindle during the summertime, while the need for blood remains.

Blood donors must be 17 years old or 16 with parental permission, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health to donate blood. A photo ID is also needed.

LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, which serves many local hospitals, are encouraging people to donate as the community’s blood supply is at emergency levels, especially type O blood.

LifeSouth donors are eligible to receive a $25 e-gift card when they give, and people donating platelets or double red cells can receive an additional $20 e-gift card. Those giving at a donor center may also receive a hat, while supplies last.

News 19 has compiled a list of LifeSouth donor centers that you can visit to give blood below.

• Albertville
  8626 Highway 431
  Albertville, AL 35950
• Athens Donor Center
  22051 US Highway 72 East
  Unit A
  Athens, AL 35613
• Decatur
  2349 Danville Rd., SW Suite 120
  Decatur, AL 35603
• Madison- County Line Rd.
  12060 County Line Rd.
  Suite F
  Madison, AL 35756

• Madison- Madison Blvd.
  8190 Madison Blvd.
  Madison, AL 35758
• Shoals
  307 Veterans Drive
  Florence, AL 35630
  (256) 765-7038
• South Huntsville Donor Center
  8404 Memorial Parkway SW
  Unit A
  Huntsville, AL 35802

Blood Assurance is a nonprofit, full-service regional blood center that serves hospitals in North Alabama, and it will be hosting two donation events in DeKalb County for World Blood Donor Day.

The first event will be at the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office, located at 2801 Jordan Road Fort Payne, AL 35967, on Thursday, June 13 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The second will be held at the Foodland in Rainsville, which can be found at 318 McCurdy Avenue North Rainsville, AL 35986, on Friday, June 14 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

“Every donation has the potential to save up to three lives, and we encourage everyone who is eligible to consider making a blood donation,” said Garry Allison, SVP of Operations at Blood Assurance.

Additionally, Blood Assurance said it will be giving away $20 E-gift cards for all O-negative donors through this Friday. Anyone who gives blood during June will receive a color-changing cup and a towel with a “United We Give” design – while supplies last.

To see if Blood Assurance has a donor center near you or schedule an appointment, click here .

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