Nonprofit expresses concern as blood supply depletes
LifeSouth, a nonprofit community blood center, is in emergency need for blood donors, especially those who have type O positive.
LifeSouth serves Baptist Medical Center Beaches, Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, Baptist Medical Center Nassau, Baptist Medical Center South, Memorial Hospital, Orange Park Medical Center and Wolfson Children’s Hospital hospitals.
Although hospitals have resumed normal operations, donations have continued to decline due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Schools, businesses, community events, and churches that would normally hold blood drives regularly have been unable to because of closures and limited hours. LifeSouth is concerned that if donations do not increase, patient care may be affected.
“Although blood shortages were anticipated during summer months, during this time of year we generally see an ample supply, but because of COVID-19, we can’t hold our normal blood drives, including high school and college blood drives,” said J.D. Pettyjohn, vice president of operations for LifeSouth. “We are in dire need of blood donors, as patients in our local hospitals rely on blood to survive. There is no substitute for blood donations, this is why blood donors are so important.”
Right now, LifeSouth has a critically low supply of O positive blood. Type O positive blood is the most transfused type and critical for accident and trauma patients.
LifeSouth asks all blood donors, especially O positive donors, to donate and reminds the public that it is safe to donate blood.
Visit www.lifesouth.org to find the closest blood center or blood drive near you or call LifeSouth’s toll-free number, 1-888-795-2707. Appointments can be made online or by calling.
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