LifeSouth Community Blood Centers is calling on the community to honor first responders with blood donations during National Emergency Medical Services Week on May 17-23.
LifeSouth will serve lunch to first responders and blood donors from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19, at their location at 4039 Newberry Road in Gainesville, with the donor center open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
In its 52nd year, National EMS Week is celebrating with the theme “Improving Outcomes, Together.” This awareness week honors the paramedics, EMTs and emergency physicians who provide lifesaving care every day — and donating blood is one of the most direct ways the public can support their work in improving outcomes.
LifeSouth provides blood to emergency medical teams, including ambulances and helicopters, such as Alachua County Fire Rescue, ShandsCair, Bradford County Fire Rescue, and TraumaOne Lake City, supplying their EMS vehicles with lifesaving blood to be used directly at the scene of major trauma events. LifeSouth also supplies blood to local hospitals, including UF Health, HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, HCA Florida Gainesville Hospital, Malcom Randall VA, HCA Florida Lake City Hospital and HCA Florida Starke Emergency.
All blood types are needed, and all donors during May will receive a free T-shirt and from May 18-25, all donors will also receive a $25 e-gift card and T-shirt. Platelet, plasma and double red cell donors receive a $40 e-gift card and T-shirt.
LifeSouth is also offering complimentary A1c testing to all blood donors, giving them the chance to learn whether they may have pre-diabetes or diabetes and more about their health.
Visit a LifeSouth donor center or blood drive. Walk-ins are always welcome. Appointments can be scheduled at www.lifesouth.org or by calling 1-888-795-2707.