Blood Connection In Toccoa and Hartwell Next Week

Do you know someone with cancer, someone who is pregnant, or someone with sickle cell disease?

If you answered yes, then you know someone who may need a blood transfusion.

The Blood Connection Bloodmobiles will be in Hartwell and Toccoa next week for special blood drives to hopefully secure enough donations to help those patients.

Bloodmobiles will be at the Hartwell Walmart on February 26 and March 5 from noon to 4p and at the Toccoa Walmart on February 25 from 11a to 7p, on March 1 from 2:30p to 7:30p, and on March from noon to 5p.

Everyone who donates will receive a $30 eGift card and one of six Friends-themed blood donor stickers.

Delisa English, TBC President, and CEO tells WLHR News that giving blood gives local hospital patients hope for successful treatments and more time with their families.

Blood products are used every minute for a wide range of treatments.

Cancer patients use 25 percent of all blood donations.

Blood transfusions are needed in one out of every 83 newborn deliveries in America today, a rate that has increased by more than 50 percent between 2006 and 2015.

Everyone likely knows someone who has needed or will need blood, but despite that, most of the U.S. population does not donate blood.

While 60% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood, only 3% or roughly 7 million people, are holding up the nation’s blood supply, as reports of blood shortages become more and more frequent.

Blood donors must be healthy, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be at least 17 years old or 16 with written parental consent. Donors must also bring a valid photo ID.

All blood types are needed but especially type O Negative, which is the universal blood type that can be given to anyone regardless of their blood type.