LifeShare Blood Center is calling on residents across the Shreveport-Bossier area to donate blood, plasma, and platelets as the nonprofit faces a critical shortage that is affecting its ability to meet local hospital needs.
Donation Goals
According to LifeShare Regional Director Megan Risinger, current donation levels are falling below daily goals needed to maintain an adequate blood supply for patients throughout the region. LifeShare needs 10 to 12 platelet donors each day and up to 65 donors daily for red blood cell collections through whole blood and apheresis donations.
Risinger said, “This is your community call, and we need you right now. I need you to step up and donate. Your one hour is going to get somebody a lot of time right now.” A single blood donation can help save up to three lives, according to LifeShare.
Johnny Edwards, a regular donor, encouraged others to consider giving blood, saying the process is safe and rewarding. “The more people give, because a lot of people are hurting,” Edwards said. “The more you give, you find some kind of self-assurance in yourself that you’re actually doing something for somebody.”
KTBS 3 will partner with LifeShare for the “United We Give” blood drive from July 1-3 as part of the America 250 Freedom Fest celebration. Donors who participate will receive a free T-shirt and a $25 gift card.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
