All in the community are urged to donate at local donor centers and blood drives
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – June 24, 2024 – Blood donations have declined and blood usage at local hospitals has increased, which has led to a summer blood shortage. Without an adequate blood supply, patient care can and will be affected. LifeSouth Community Blood Centers is urging the community to donate now.
Summer is a difficult time for blood donations, and LifeSouth reports that there is an emergency need for all blood types in order to help patients in local hospitals. LifeSouth supplies blood to 70% of Northeast Florida hospital beds through its service to many regional hospitals, including Baptist Medical Center Beaches, Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, Baptist Medical Center Nassau, Baptist Medical Center South, Baptist Medical Center Clay County, HCA Florida Memorial Hospital, HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital, UF Health Jacksonville, UF Health North and Wolfson Children’s Hospital. These hospitals are relying on LifeSouth and LifeSouth blood donors to make sure blood is available before it is needed to help patients suffering from traumas, cancers and chronic illnesses.
It is a great time to become a blood donor and for individuals to learn their blood type, or for regular blood donors to donate and bring a friend. All donors will receive a $20 e-gift card and double red cell and platelet donors receive a $40 e-gift card, in addition to a mini-physical, including blood pressure, temperature, iron level and cholesterol screen.
LifeSouth encourages residents to help in one or more of the following ways:
-
-
- Make a blood donation.
- With only an average 1-2
- day supply available, it's more important now than ever to make sure blood
- is available for patients.
- LifeSouth welcomes regular and first-time donors to visit one of its donor centers,
- or find one of its signature red, white and blue buses to donate at a mobile blood drive.
-
-
-
- Host a blood drive.
- LifeSouth welcomes the support of businesses, organizations, churches, professional groups and neighborhoods looking for a meaningful way to give back to the community. Contact LifeSouth District Community Development Coordinator James Skahn at
- jlskahn@lifesouth.org
- or 904-586-5090 for more information.
-
-
-
-
- Encourage a first-time donor.
- With a low percentage of the population annually participating in the blood donation process, the best way to make a difference is to encourage someone to donate with you at one of LifeSouth’s donor centers or blood drives.
-
-
For additional information about donation or to find a blood drive near you, call LifeSouth toll-free at 888-795-2707, visit www.lifesouth.org or download the LifeSouth app. Appointments can also be made online. Donor centers across Northeast Florida are located at the below addresses, and information on mobile blood drives happening across the region can be found at www.lifesouth.org.
Northeast Florida Headquarters (7840 Baymeadows Way)
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Fleming Island (1605 County Rd. 220, Suite 160)
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Julington Creek (445 S.R. 13 N., Suite 25)
Sunday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday: Friday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
St. Augustine (292 State Route 312)
Sunday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Palatka (6003 Crill Ave)
Monday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
###
About LifeSouth:
LifeSouth is a non-profit community blood bank serving more than 150 hospitals in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. LifeSouth is committed to meeting the blood supply needs of hospitals and their patients by providing the highest quality blood components and services. The LifeSouth team is dedicated to making sure the blood is there when a patient is in need. To learn more, visit LifeSouth.org. For more resources and information about blood donation, visit donatingblood.org.