Emergency Blood Shortage

LifeSouth in emergency need for blood donors

National blood shortages are impacting blood centers across the country, and locally LifeSouth Community Blood Centers also faces emergency need for all blood types.

Summer months take a toll on the blood supply, and this year has been especially difficult here in Georgia and across the country. Hospitals (Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta Medical Center, North Fulton Regional Hospital, Spalding Medical Center, and Sylvan Grove Hospital) rely on LifeSouth and LifeSouth blood donors to make sure blood is available before it is needed. All blood types are necessary, and donors are asked to donate now to ensure local hospitals have the blood needed to help patients suffering from traumas, cancers and chronic illnesses.

First time donors are always welcome and encouraged to give blood donation a try. All donors receive a thank you gift, and a mini-physical, including blood pressure, temperature, iron level and cholesterol screen.

Donors must be at least 17 or 16 with parental permission, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. A photo ID is needed.

Atlanta Donor Center

McDonough Donor Center

Gainesville Donor Center

4891 Ashford Dunwoody Road

329 Westridge Parkway

1200 McEver Road

Atlanta, GA 30338

McDonough, GA 30253

Gainesville, GA 30504

404-329-1994

678-432-0637

770-538-0500

LifeSouth’s bloodmobiles will also be out at many locations in coming days (see attachment for schedule of upcoming blood drives). For additional information about donation or to find a blood drive near you, call LifeSouth toll-free at 888-795-2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org. Appointments can also be made online.