Region needs blood donations; Marsh Regional to hold blood drives

The region’s flu outbreak, coupled with recent heavy usage, has severely impacted Marsh Regional Blood Center’s blood supply – and the center is asking the public’s help to replenish it.

To replenish the supply – especially for O-negative, A-negative and B-negative blood types – Marsh Regional Blood Center is encouraging all eligible blood donors to visit its collection centers or area blood drives to give blood as soon as possible.

“When people are seriously injured or ill, they need blood – and they need it to be immediately available,” said Don Campbell, director of Marsh Regional. “Our remarkable and committed blood donors have always made it possible for us to help and heal the people of this region, but now, with our supplies at such low levels, we also need new donors to come forward to start giving the gift of life.”

To give blood, donors must feel healthy and well. People with a cold, sore throat, fever, flu or fever blisters may not donate. Donors can give on the same day they receive their flu shots; however, anyone who has been on antibiotics must wait seven days after taking their last dose.

Donors can visit any of Marsh Regional’s collection centers: 111 W. Stone Drive, Suite 300, Kingsport, 2428 Knob Creek Road, Johnson City and 1996 W. State St., Bristol. Additionally, blood drives will be held throughout the region:

• Tuesday, Jan. 21, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Grundy High School, Grundy, Virginia
• Tuesday, Jan. 21, 1-6 p.m., Valley View Freewill Baptist Church, Clintwood, Virginia
• Wednesday, Jan. 22, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Twin Springs High School, Nickelsville, Virginia
• Wednesday, Jan. 22, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., JW Adams Combined School, Pound, Virginia
• Wednesday, Jan. 22, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, Wise, Virginia
• Thursday, Jan. 23, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Cherokee High School, Rogersville
• Thursday, Jan. 23, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Lee High School, Jonesville, Virginia
• Friday, Jan. 24, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Blue Ridge Job Corps Center, Marion, Virginia
• Saturday, Jan. 25, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Julia Davis Collection Center, Kingsport (Platelet donors should call for an appointment.)
• Sunday, Jan. 26, noon-4 p.m., Julia Davis Collection Center, Kingsport (Platelet donors should call for an appointment.)
• Monday, Jan. 27, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Volunteer High School, Church Hill
• Tuesday, Jan. 28, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m., Eastman Chemical Company, Kingsport
• Tuesday, Jan. 28, 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Central High School, Norton, Virginia
• Tuesday, Jan. 28, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Virginia Highlands Community College, Abingdon, Virginia
• Wednesday, Jan. 29, 8:30-11:30 a.m., Appalachian Agency For Senior Citizens, Cedar Bluff, Virginia
• Wednesday, Jan. 29, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Twin Valley High School, Pilgrim Knob, Virginia
• Wednesday, Jan. 29, 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Northeast State Community College, Blountville
• Wednesday, Jan. 29, 1-4 p.m., Cumberland Mountain Community Services, Cedar Bluff, Virginia
• Thursday, Jan. 30, 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m., Holston Valley Medical Center, Kingsport
• Thursday, Jan. 30, 8:30-11:30 a.m., Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, Lebanon, Virginia
• Thursday, Jan. 30, 11 a.m.-4 p.m., Jacobs Creek Job Corps, Bristol
• Thursday, Jan. 30, 1-4 p.m., Russell County Hospital, Lebanon, Virginia
• Friday, Jan. 31, 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Dobyns-Bennett High School, Kingsport
• Saturday, Feb. 1, 8 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Julia Davis Collection Center, Kingsport (Platelet donors should call for an appointment.)
• Sunday, Feb. 2, noon-4 p.m., Julia Davis Collection Center, Kingsport (Platelet donors should call for an appointment.

As many as three lives can be saved each time someone donates blood – and blood donations to Marsh Regional stay local to help people in this region.

Marsh Regional supplies blood to 28 regional medical facilities, all regional cancer centers and five air rescue bases in Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky.

Donors with O-negative blood types are particularly welcome, as their blood can be used for any patient.

To give blood, donors must be at least 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds or more. Donors should eat a balanced meal before giving blood.

For more information about scheduling a blood drive at a local business, church, school or community organization, please call 423-408-7500, 423-652-0014 or 276-679-4669 or visit www.marshblood.com.