Debby puts blood supply at emergency level, says LifeSouth | Health

            The flooding and storms from Tropical Storm Debby have left local blood supplies at emergency levels. With more severe weather predicted, supplies will continue to drop.

            “In many of our cities the shelves at LifeSouth are bare. It is important to have a reserve supply of blood on hand for emergencies, but the weather and the normal summer slowdown have all but wiped out any surplus,” said LifeSouth Vice President of Operations J.B. Bowles. “I ask our donors to please grab an umbrella and come out and donate.”

            On Sunday, part of Florida served by LifeSouth received more than five inches of rain, and coastal communities suffered minor flooding. With the storm heading north in the Gulf, the communities in Georgia and Alabama will also feel the effect.

            “We never want emergency patients to arrive at our hospitals and not have enough blood on hand,” said Bowles. “The only way to avoid that is to find more donors. A single day of emergency need is too long, and to see it stretch to nearly two weeks is unsettling.”

Donors must be 17 or older, or 16 with parental permission, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. A photo ID is also required. Call LifeSouth toll-free at 888-795-2707 or go to our website at www.lifesouth.org to find a blood drive near you.