FLEMING ISLAND – Blood donations have declined and blood usage at local hospitals has increased, which has led to a summer blood shortage. Without an adequate blood supply, patient care can and will be affected. LifeSouth Community Blood Centers is urging the community to donate now.

Summer is a difficult time for blood donations, and LifeSouth reports an emergency need for all blood types to help patients in local hospitals. LifeSouth supplies blood to 70% of Northeast Florida hospital beds through its service to many regional hospitals, including Baptist Medical Center Beaches, Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, Baptist Medical Center Nassau, Baptist Medical Center South, Baptist Medical Center Clay County, HCA Florida Memorial Hospital, HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital, UF Health Jacksonville, UF Health North and Wolfson Children’s Hospital. These hospitals rely on LifeSouth and LifeSouth blood donors to ensure blood is available before it is needed to help patients suffering from traumas, cancers and chronic illnesses.

It is a great time to become a blood donor, learn about their blood type, or learn about regular blood donors donating and bringing a friend. All donors will receive a $20 e-gift card, double red cell, and platelet donors will receive a $40 e-gift card and a mini-physical, including blood pressure, temperature, iron level and cholesterol screen.

LifeSouth encourages residents to help in one or more of the following ways:

Make a blood donation. With only an average one-to-two-day supply available, it’s more important now than ever to make sure blood is available for patients. LifeSouth welcomes regular and first-time donors to visit one of its donor centers, or find one of its signature red, white and blue buses to donate at a mobile blood drive. 

Host a blood drive. LifeSouth welcomes the support of businesses, organizations, churches, professional groups and neighborhoods looking for a meaningful way to give back to the community. Contact LifeSouth District Community Development Coordinator James Skahn at jlskahn@lifesouth.org or (904) 586-5090 for more information.

Encourage a first-time donor. With a low percentage of the population participating in the blood donation process annually, the best way to make a difference is to encourage someone to donate with you at one of LifeSouth’s donor centers or blood drives.

For additional information about donation or to find a blood drive near you, call LifeSouth toll-free at (888) 795-2707, visit www.lifesouth.org or download the LifeSouth app. Appointments can also be made online. Information on mobile blood drives happening across the region can be found at www.lifesouth.org.

LifeSouth Center on Fleming Island is at 1605 County Road 220, Suite 160. Hours are: Monday and Tuesday, closed. Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

LifeSouth is a non-profit community blood bank that serves 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. For more resources and information about blood donation, visit donatingblood.org.