Community Blood Drive Announced

Published by Editor on February 26, 2014.
Published under Jefferson County Events

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medic-logo-10032011Medic Regional Blood Center hopes with spring being on the horizon that’s good news for the community’s blood supply.    The community blood provider has seen supplies lower than usual, even for this time of year.  “We have struggled to keep up with the demand from our area hospitals.  Inclement weather made us cancel many of our community drives and that’s where approximately 80% of our blood comes from.   When we have to cancel drives, it puts a dip in our inventory that is hard to overcome,” explain Christi Fightmaster,  Medic’s Director of Public Relations.    In addition to snowy weather, the blood center reports that the cold and flu season provided a double whammy to their inventory woes.   “Donors must be well and healthy at the time of their donation so that’s another challenge we face this time of year, “ says Fightmaster.

All donors will receive a t-shirt and a coupon for a free appetizer to Texas Roadhouse.  Donors are always welcome at one of the two donor centers:   1601 Ailor Avenue and 11000 Kingston Pike in Farragut.    Community drives are also planned for added convenience.

  • March 13, Carson Newman University, 10am – 6pm, Inside Student Center.
  • March 13, Jefferson County EMS, 581 W. Old Andrew Johnson Highway, 9am- 4pm, Bloodmobile.

Donors must be at least 17 years of age, weigh 110 pounds or more and have positive identification.  16 year olds weighing 120 pounds or more can donate but must have parental consent.   Parental consent forms can be found at any Medic blood drive or online at www.medicblood.org.