As communities across the nation celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, LifeSouth Community Blood Centers is encouraging residents to commemorate the milestone by donating blood and helping maintain the local blood supply during the busy summer season.
Summer months are traditionally challenging for blood collections, making donor participation especially important to ensure area hospitals and emergency responders have access to lifesaving blood products.
LifeSouth will host blood drives throughout the community during Independence Day celebrations, including Fanfare and Fireworks in Gainesville, Micanopy’s Fourth of July Parade and Williston’s Independence Day celebration.
All blood types are needed.
To recognize donors during the nation’s semiquincentennial celebration, LifeSouth is offering special incentives throughout July. All donors who give blood during the month will receive a commemorative America 250th anniversary T-shirt. In addition, donors who give blood from July 1-7 will receive a $25 e-gift card and a T-shirt. Platelet, plasma and double red cell donors will receive a $40 e-gift card and commemorative T-shirt.
LifeSouth supplies blood to hospitals throughout North Central Florida, including UF Health, HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, HCA Florida Gainesville Hospital and the Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center. The organization also partners with Alachua County Fire Rescue to provide blood products for emergency medical services vehicles, allowing lifesaving transfusions to begin at the scene of major trauma incidents.
Blood donors receive a complimentary mini-physical that includes blood pressure, temperature, iron level and cholesterol screenings. LifeSouth is also providing complimentary A1c testing to all blood donors, offering an opportunity to learn more about their health and identify potential risks for prediabetes or diabetes.
Blood donations can be made at any LifeSouth donor center or community blood drive. Walk-ins are welcome, and appointments can be scheduled through LifeSouth’s website or by calling 1-888-795-2707.