spartanburg.com community news Regional and National Blood Supply Low, Donations Urgently Needed

The nation’s blood banks, represented by the American Red Cross, American Association of Blood Banks, and America’s Blood Centers, are asking for immediate blood donations to boost already critically low blood supplies.  Patients’ need for blood is ongoing. Every day, accident victims as well as patients with cancer, blood disorders, sickle cell disease and other illnesses receive lifesaving transfusions.  

The Piedmont Blood Bank serves Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union Counties and five Upstate hospitals with round-the-clock, non-stop support.  The Piedmont Blood Center considers a four- to six- day supply of blood to be the minimum needed to adequately meet daily demands. If area trauma cases are high, the four- to six- day supply of blood will not be sufficient to meet demand.

Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9:00am - 6:00pm
Tuesday: 9:00am - 8:00pm
Friday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am - 12:00pm

You can now schedule your appointment online at  
http://www.piedmontbloodcenter.com! 

Groups are also encouraged to give. With two Mobile Blood Units, the Piedmont Blood Center can go anywhere at any time, and Mobile Units are available to groups, churches, businesses, schools, and other locations. The Piedmont Blood Center can also set up on-site donor rooms for groups wanting to donate. A large room is all that is required – the organization provides the donors, and the Blood Center does the rest!  

For more information, or to find a Bloodmobile drive near you, please contact the Piedmont Blood Center at 864-582-6366 or 1-800-224-5836, or visit http://www.piedmontbloodcenter.com.

Giving blood is easy, safe, and takes less than one hour, but only about five percent of eligible Americans donate blood. The actual donation time is about 10 minutes - your body quickly replaces the blood you give – and these few minutes can make a lifetime of difference.

Blood Drives
August 2008

• August 23 - Food Lion in Inman, 12PM-5PM
• August 23 - Fred's in Gaffney, 10AM-2PM
• August 27 - USC Upstate, 10AM-4PM
• August 28 - 8th Annual Summer Survivor Blood Drive at Milliken Research Duck Pond, 8AM-7PM
• August 29 - Big Lots on North Pine Street, 11AM-6PM
• August 29 - SJWD Water District, 7AM-1PM
• August 30 - Wal-Mart in Gaffney, 11AM-3PM
  

Cholesterol is a silent killer; everyone should have their cholesterol checked regularly. Have your cholesterol checked for FREE at the Piedmont Blood Center when you donate! (This service is available at the Dunbar Street location only.)