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World Blood Donor Day, June 14, honors those who help their communities by donating blood, and right now blood donors are needed as summer blood shortages begin. Summer is historically a slow time for blood donations due to travel and school breaks, while the need to help patients in local hospitals remains constant.

Every two seconds a person needs blood, but only 3 percent of Americans donate blood. Blood donors are anonymous heroes when disasters and mass casualty occur. LifeSouth Community Blood Centers celebrates blood donors every day, and especially on World Blood Donor Day. Blood donors help patients at the local hospitals  Blood donations are also essential for EMS crews carrying blood on vehicles to treat trauma patients at the scene or in route to the hospital. LifeSouth officials stress that blood donors mean the difference between life and death for patients in critical need.

June 10 through June 15, LifeSouth donors will receive a $25 e-gift card and a t-shirt when they give at a LifeSouth donor center or bloodmobile. Those donating platelets or double red cells receive a $40 e-gift card and a t-shirt. LifeSouth has donor centers located in Montgomery, Dothan, Opelika, Prattville, and Columbus.   Find a blood drive or center near you by visiting Lifesouth.org. 

LifeSouth encourages residents to celebrate the spirit of World Blood Donor Day in one of the following ways:

4Give Blood. Whether you’re a regular or first-time donor, visiting one of LifeSouth’s donor centers or signature red, white and blue bloodmobiles is a powerful way to make a difference. Donors are encouraged to bring a friend to donate and share the lifesaving experience.

4Host a Blood Drive.  LifeSouth urges all businesses, organizations, churches, neighborhoods and professional groups to consider hosting a blood drive to help ensure a safe and steady supply for local hospitals. LifeSouth provides planning support, donor recognition gifts and snacks to make each drive a success.

4For more details, contact Melinda Hinds at mahinds@lifesouth.org. 

4Share why you donate. One of the most common reasons why people don’t give blood is because they aren’t asked to. Sharing a personal story about why you donate can help encourage another person to donate, as well. Tag @LifeSouth in your story on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, and use the hashtag #WorldBloodDonorDay.

4Support Blood Advocacy Week. More than 80 blood centers and organizations from around the country will join together to support Blood Advocacy Week by urging Members of Congress to take key actions to support the blood supply as a national priority. To learn more about Blood Advocacy Week and how you can help encourage support for blood donation, visit bloodadvocacyweek.org.

About LifeSouth:

LifeSouth is a non-profit community blood bank serving more than 150 hospitals in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. LifeSouth is committed to meeting the blood supply needs of hospitals and their patients by providing the highest quality blood components and services. The LifeSouth team is dedicated to making sure the blood is there when a patient is in need. To learn more, visit LifeSouth.org or donatingblood.org.