Marsh Regional recognizes Law Day with Lebanon blood drive
Marsh Regional Blood Center is partnering with a local attorney’s office to host a blood drive in honor of Law Day on Friday, April 30.
The Law Day Blood Drive will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the law office of Bruce H. Russell II, 29 E. Main St., in Lebanon, Virginia. To help ensure physical distancing and infection prevention requirements, prospective donors are encouraged to make an appointment by calling 423-408-7528 or visiting Marsh Regional Blood Center. Walk-ins may be accommodated if appointments are available.
Marsh Regional’s blood supply has dipped in critical levels in recent weeks, bolstering the need for blood of all types.
“The Appalachian Highlands has reached critical levels in its blood supply, and we’re still trying stock all types of blood,” said Steffanie Sukel, director of Marsh Regional. “We are looking to our community for heroes to fill this need and drives like this are a great opportunity to step up and save as many as three lives with each donation.”
This year’s Law Day theme is “Advancing the Rule of Law Now” and is officially recognized on May 1. Law Day was first recognized in 1961 as a way to recognize the importance of law as it protects liberty and freedoms shared by Americans.
“We’re honored to partner with Marsh Regional for the opportunity to give back to our community,” Bruce Russell said. “We could save dozens of lives with a single drive, and we’re so excited to participate while also honoring Law Day.”
Donors will receive an exclusive Russell County Bar Association Law Day T-shirt and a snack after donating. All donors will be required to wear a cloth face covering such as a handmade mask, bandana or buff, while they are in collection centers or on mobile units. Marsh Regional will provide face coverings to any donor who needs one.
While the Law Day blood drive will only collect whole blood, donors can opt for additional testing that will allow them to donate other blood products such as plasma and platelets at a Marsh Regional collection center.
One blood donation can save up to three lives, and donations collected by Marsh Regional stay to help people in the Appalachian Highlands. Marsh Regional supplies blood to 28 regional medical facilities, five air rescue bases in Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky, and every cancer center in the Appalachian Highlands.
“This is a great opportunity for folks to come out and show support for their community,” Sukel said. “We’re always thankful for the opportunity to come into different communities in the Appalachian Highlands to give community members a chance to be a hero.”
To give blood, donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. People taking antibiotics and people with a cold, sore throat, fever, flu or fever blisters are not eligible to donate. Donors should eat a balanced meal before giving blood.
Those who have received the COVID-19 vaccine should wait at least 48 hours after each dose before making a blood, platelet or plasma donation. Additionally, Marsh Regional has updated its donor eligibility guidelines to reflect new federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) standards, and potential donors should call 423-408-7500 to be pre-screened for eligibility.
An appointment is required before giving blood at any blood center – donors should call 423-408-7500, 423-652-0014 or 423-282-7090 or visit Marsh Regional Blood Center for more information about appointments or to schedule a blood drive at a local business, church, school or community organization. Same-day blood donation appointments are frequently available.
