Winter Weather Creates Urgent Need for Blood Donors of All Types

LifeShare Blood Centers reports a low blood supply for all blood types, primarily as a result of the weather in the region.

Poor road conditions due to ice and snow just south of this area has resulted in canceled blood drives and center closures for two consecutive weeks, estimating a loss of nearly 1,000 blood donations that would have been available for patient use.

The nearby southern areas affected by the winter weather typically need at least 250 blood donors per day to support patient needs. “Patients will continue to need blood, so we can’t wait for the weather to pass. The blood supply for the entire region is affected by this weather," says LifeShare spokeswoman Tina Hooper. "Because blood isn’t ready for patient use for at least 24 hours after it is donated, communities with clear road conditions need to increase donations now to bring all blood types to a stable level.”

The blood supply in this region and many other parts of the nation reached an unstable level for O- blood type in 2014 as a result of the winter holidays and flu season. LifeShare reports a full recovery had not been made when the winter storm hit last week and brought donations to a halt for nearly two days.

LifeShare is asking all blood types to donate blood at one of the following locations as soon as possible. For more information, go to LifeShare's website or call 800-256-4483.

LifeShare Blood Centers locations and hours:

Monroe
2909 Kilpatrick Boulevard
Monroe, LA 71201
318-322-4445
8a.m. to 4p.m. M – F, 8a.m. – 1p.m. Sat.

Ruston
107 North Service Road East
Ruston, LA 71270
318-254-1167
8a.m. – 3p.m. M, W, F
10a.m. – 5p.m. T, Th

Shreveport
8910 Linwood Avenue
Shreveport, LA 71106
318-673-1471
8:00am-5:30pm M, W, F
8:00am-7:00pm Tu, Th
8:00am-3:00pm Saturday

University Health
Room B2-7 Second Floor
1501 Kings Hwy
Shreveport, LA 71103
11a.m. – 5p.m. M - F

Bossier City
1523 Doctors Drive
Bossier City, LA 71111
318-742-4636
8:00am-4:00pm M, W, F
11:00am-7:00pm Tu, Th

Texarkana
1321 College Drive
Texarkana, TX 75503
903-794-3173
800-264-5456
8:00am-4:00pm M, W, F
10:00am-5:30pm Tu, Th
8:00am-1:00pm Saturday

There are also Mobile Blood Drives going on today, January 28th:

Bossier Parish Community College, Bossier City, LA, 9a.m. – 3:30p.m.

Strong High School, Strong, AR, 9a.m. – 2p.m.

Kilbourne High School, Kilbourne, LA, 9a.m. – 1:30p.m.

Ouachita Parish Library Monroe, LA, 11a.m. – 2p.m.

Bi-State Justice Building, Texarkana, TX, 1:30pm. – 5:30p.m.