THOMASVILLE, GA (WALB) -
One south Georgia blood center says they are in desperate need for donors.
The Southeastern Community Blood Center says the universal O-negative has dropped significantly to a one day supply. And with many folks on summer vacation, donors are few and far between.
Blood centers say the summer season can be challenging for the local blood supply. "with school being out, people are on vacations. Taking trips. Coming by and donating blood is one of the last things they think about," said T'ville Branch Manager Joye Sandefur.
O-negative is the universal blood type and is critical to the survival of premature babies as well as emergency, trauma, and cancer patients. At the Southeastern Community Blood Center, O-negative is currently at a one day supply.
B-positive, as well as O-positive and negative are currently in the highest demand.
Whether it's for extra credit, or just to save a life, the center's biggest customers are students. "We rely heavily on our high schools. 15 percent of our donor base are high schools," said Sandefur.
And if you donate at a Southeastern Community Blood Center, you may be helping a friend, relative, or neighbor.
"Southeastern Community Blood Center is a community based blood center. Meaning the blood that we handle only stays in the hospitals of the counties we supply," said Sandefur.
And any blood donated today is likely to be transfused into a patient within the next 48 to 72 hours.
If you would like a bloodmobile to visit your office, church, or organization give the blood center a call at 229-228-9980.
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