BLOOD ASSURANCE IN NEED OF BLOOD DONORS BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Blood Assurance is giving away $50 grocery cards every hour at the Bone and Joint Institute on December 23
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (Dec. 18, 2020) — Blood Assurance is calling on the community to give blood before Christmas. Blood donors are needed every day to help patients in area hospitals and usage around Christmas increases while the amount of donations decreases. Blood Assurance is encouraging anyone who can give blood to please do so before Christmas to help area patients in need.
“We must prepare for higher usage around the holiday, and with our inventory already at low levels it is essential that donors give now,” said Dr. Elizabeth Culler, medical director at Blood Assurance. “If you have ever thought about giving blood or you are an eligible donor, please give the gift of life to a patient in need this year.
Blood Assurance will be hosting a drive with Williamson Medical Center at the Bone and Joint Institute on Dec. 23 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. They will be giving away $50 grocery cards every hour to donors at the blood drive. Donors will also receive fleece blankets and be entered to win a home improvement basket containing $400 in gift cards to Target and Lowe’s as well as two stockings stuffed with lottery tickets.
Blood Assurance is continuing to take extra precautions at this time to ensure the safety of donors and staff. Staff and donors are required to wear masks and staff are frequently disinfecting all items and surfaces used by donors. They are also accepting donors by appointment only and these appointments are being spaced apart to ensure adequate distance. Blood donation is essential to the infrastructure of healthcare and the only way to ensure patients have the blood they need is for people to donate. Blood cannot be manufactured and all blood used in community hospitals is from volunteer donors. Blood Assurance is testing all donations for COVID-19 antibodies.
To be eligible to donate blood, 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 — avoiding caffeine — and eat a meal that is rich in iron prior to donating. To schedule an appointment for this drive, please visit bloodassurance.org/BoneandJoint12.23, call 800-962-0628, or text ‘BAGIVE’ to 999777.
About Blood Assurance
Blood Assurance is a nonprofit, full-service regional blood center serving more than 70 health care facilities in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, and Kentucky. 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.
About Williamson Medical Center
Williamson Medical Center offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services, 24-hour emergency care, preventive health screenings and wellness activities. Services offered by Williamson Medical Center are developed to provide the most cost-effective, convenient and accessible healthcare possible. More than 750 providers represent over 70 medical specialties and sub-specialties. The caliber of physicians and care at Williamson Medical Center continues to advance the way healthcare is delivered to our region with compassion and convenience unique to WMC. Our campus also houses Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital Vanderbilt at Williamson Medical Center, which provides pediatric emergent and inpatient care, and the Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee – the region’s premiere destination for orthopaedic excellence. In addition, WMC’s Williamson Medical Group includes over 35 providers offering everything from primary care to surgery to pulmonary and sleep medicine. For more information, visit www.WilliamsonMedicalCenter.org.