Blood Assurance is in immediate need of blood and platelet donors after the devastating landfall of Hurricane Helene and its impact on the Chattanooga area.
The storm has caused widespread cancellations of appointments and blood drives across our service area. In addition, Blood Assurance is on standby this week with the Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC), to provide immediate support to communities in Florida if needed.
BERC, made up of 35 community blood centers across the United States, collects extra units of blood on a rotating basis to be ready for disasters like this. These life-saving donations are crucial in times of crisis.
In order to recover from the cancellations, and to be ready to respond, Blood Assurance will be opening our location on Gunbarrel Road in Chattanooga as well as our location in Fort Oglethorpe this Sunday from 9am to 1pm.
We’re in critical need of O-Negative, O-Positive, and platelet donors. O-Negative is the universal blood type, often used in emergencies, while O-Positive is the most common blood type in the U.S. Platelets help control bleeding and are vital in emergency situations. We’re also looking for AB Plasma donors, as AB is the universal plasma type.
Now through September 30, donors will be entered to win a $500 Visa gift card.
You can visit www.bloodassurance.org/schedule, call 800-962-0628, or text BAGIVE to 999777, to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are also accepted.
To be eligible to donate, you must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids and eat a hearty meal prior to donating.
About Blood Assurance
Blood Assurance is a nonprofit, full-service regional blood center serving more than 70 health care facilities in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky and North Carolina. Founded in 1972 as a joint effort of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society, the Chattanooga Area Hospital Council and the Chattanooga Jaycees, the mission of Blood Assurance is to provide a safe and adequate supply of blood and blood components to every area patient in need.
