Nonprofit regional blood center, Blood Assurance, is calling on community members to make a blood donation at a local donor center or bloodmobile. A trauma has used over 140 units of A-positive blood and is still using blood. A-positive, A-negative, O-positive and O-negative blood are in critical need at this time. They are the sole supplier of blood products for St. Thomas DeKalb Hospital.

“This trauma, combined with the fact that we have been in critical need for several days, has left us seriously low on several blood types,” said Dr. Elizabeth Culler, medical director at Blood Assurance. “We need our community’s help to replenish the supply that has been used and to ensure that we are prepared for more traumas in our community.”

Each donation of blood contains plasma, red blood cells and platelets that can be used to save up to three lives. Patients undergoing surgery, receiving cancer treatment or organ transplants rely on donated blood, in addition to the unexpected traumas seen at hospitals on a daily basis.

To be eligible to donate blood, you must be at least 18 years old (16 and 17 years old with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids — avoiding caffeine — and eat a meal that is rich in iron prior to donating. To schedule an appointment at a donor center or blood drive near you, please visit www.bloodassurance.org, call 800-962-0628 or text BAGIVE to 999777.

About Blood Assurance

Blood Assurance is a nonprofit, full-service regional blood center serving 51 counties and more than 76 health care facilities in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina and Virginia. Founded in 1972 as a joint effort of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society, the Chattanooga Area Hospital Council and the Chattanooga Jaycees, the mission of Blood Assurance is to provide a safe and adequate supply of blood and blood components to every area patient in need.