May Blood Drives

medic-logo-10032011Medic Regional Blood Center is the sole provider of blood for 22 counties and 28 area hospitals.   The large geographic area means a constant need for all blood types and yet the area blood center struggles daily to meet the demands of our local hospitals.   ‘It’s the blood on the shelf that saves a life in the event of an emergency,” explains Christi Fightmaster, Director of Public Relations.   The community blood source must work diligently to keep stores of all blood types on hand since a catastrophic event could happen at any time.   However, the day-to-day emergencies like car wrecks and other accidents chip away at small reserve built by the blood center.   Donors are encouraged to visit a blood drive as soon as possible.

Medic has two donor centers:  1601 Ailor Avenue just outside of downtown Knoxville and 11000 Kingston Pike in Farragut behind Pittsburgh Paints.    Community drives also take place for added donor convenience.   Here are the upcoming community drives:

Sevier County – May 13, Walgreens, 1840 Parkway, 11am – 6pm, Bloodmobile.

Jefferson County – May 13, Save-A-Lot, 272 E. Broadway, 12:30pm – 3pm, Bloodmobile.

Donors must be at least 17 years of age, weigh 110 pounds  or more (16 year-olds weighing 120 pounds can donate but must have parental consent) and all donor must have positive identification.   All donors will receive a free t-shirt and a coupon for a free appetizer from Texas Roadhouse.