Blood Assurance, a nonprofit regional blood center, is asking for community members to donate blood after multiple traumas Thursday that caused a critical need for O-positive and A-negative donors.
O-negative, A-positive and B-negative donors are also in urgent need, a release states.
The nonprofit is not allowed to say what “traumas” the blood was used for, but a spokesperson said they sent out double what they normally send out to local hospitals due to the traumas.
“Multiple traumas have left us critically low and we need the support of our communities,” said Dr. Elizabeth Culler, medical director at Blood Assurance. “These traumas used a significant amount of our blood and the supply was already not at an optimal level. A blood donation only takes 30 minutes and that 30 minutes will save three lives of patients in our area.”
Each donation of blood can be used to save three lives, according to the nonprofit.
Donations can be made at a local donor center or the bloodmobile. The main Chattanooga office is located at 705 East 4th St. and the Gunbarrel Road office is located at 1748 Gunbarrel Road. For a full list and to schedule an appointment, visit bloodassurance.org.
A person must be at least 18 years old – 16 and 17 years old with parental consent – weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health to donate. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids, avoid caffeine and eat a meal that is rich in iron prior to donating.