The MEDIC Regional Blood Center has issued an emergency appeal for blood donors.
Products donated through MEDIC help community members in East Tennessee and Southeastern Kentucky.
MEDIC Regional Blood Center said it has an immediate, critical need for O positive, A positive, A negative, and B positive blood types. MEDIC said it has a low inventory of B negative blood type.
“There continues to be a regional blood shortage in East Tennessee and Southeastern Kentucky region,” the emergency appeal said. “MEDIC’s O positive inventory level has been critical for weeks.”
All donors on Friday, May 7, will receive a $10 e-gift Card, MEDIC shirt, and Texas Roadhouse coupon, the emergency appeal said.
Here are the locations for the MEDIC Regional Blood Center donor centers and community drives:
- Downtown Knoxville—1601 Ailor Avenue
- Farragut – 11000 Kingston Pike
- Athens – 213 E. Washington Avenue, Suite 104
- Crossville – 96 Hayes Street, Suite 204
To learn more about location hours, directions, and the mobile blood drive list, visit medicblood.org.
As a reminder, the blood, platelets, and plasma products on the shelves now is what would be used in a trauma event, and it takes at least three days for donated blood to be processed and ready for distribution, the appeal said.
MEDIC continues to require all donors to wear a mask or face covering. If a donor does not have a mask or face covering, MEDIC will provide one.
Appointments are preferred. Appointments can be made online at www.medicblood.org.
MEDIC is an independent, nonprofit organization, and it is not affiliated with the American Red Cross.
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