The sole blood supplier for hospitals in the greater Chattanooga area was down to a one-day supply of the crucial O-negative and O-positive blood types, as well as B-positive blood, as of Tuesday morning, according to a news release from Blood Assurance.
Officials from Blood Assurance said in the release that the nonprofit community blood center is experiencing a “significant blood supply shortage after multiple traumas over Labor Day weekend,” urging local residents to give blood if they’re able.
In addition to needing O-negative, O-positive blood types and B-positive blood types, A-positive and A-negative blood are also in high demand, according to the release.
“This was an extremely busy weekend for hospitals across the region,” Christopher Swafford, chief operations officer for Blood Assurance, said in the release. “It’s vital that we all step up, roll up a sleeve and help replenish the supply, which will result in lives being saved.”
(READ MORE: Signal Mountain man who donated over 70 gallons of blood says ‘life is precious’)