Blood donations in urgent demand

Jackson-Madison County General Hospital is encouraging eligible donors to give blood in order to maintain the availability of the region’s blood supply and to ensure life-saving treatment for hospital patients in need.
Blood centers across the country have reported declines in blood collections in recent weeks. Some, like LIFELINE, have reported their lowest donor turnout in more than a year. These trends are concerning, as both patients and blood centers depend on the altruism of donors to ensure that blood is available.
“Our patients need blood every day, and we must do what we can to increase the inventory, and we must do it now,” said Deann Thelen, CEO of Jackson-Madison County General Hospital. “Our patients’ lives depend on it. You don’t plan accidents and illnesses. You don’t plan the need for blood. We can’t manufacture blood products. 
We never want to be in a position where we are without these life-saving resources when our patients need them. Hospitals all over the country are facing this fear just like us. We ask for all that are able to please donate. It does save lives. You never know when that life might be yours or your loved ones’.”
Thelen also said, “The hospital made the decision to bring back Lifeline blood drives a couple months ago because we realized the need. Our employees always step up to help.
It is safe for businesses and churches to offer blood drives again as Lifeline follows all precautions to keep donors safe, and does it extremely well.”
Lifeline Blood Services, located at 183 Sterling Farms Drive, is open from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Walk-ins are welcome. However, if you would like to make an appointment, you may text the word “schedule” to 999-777 or, to speak with someone about donating blood, call 731-427-4431, ext. 0.
According to a recent press release from Lifeline Blood Services, this week’s upcoming Community Mobile Blood Drives are listed below:
Wednesday, April 28
Savannah: Hardin County High School – 8:30 am
Thursday, April 29
Medina: South Gibson Middle School – 12:00 pm
Friday, April 30
Trezevant: Centennial Bank – 1 pm
Union City: EW James & Sons – 1 pm