JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – June 13, 2024 – LifeSouth honors blood donors during World Blood Donor Day, June 14, and asks donors to donate now as the community’s blood supply is at emergency levels, especially type O blood. Donors are asked to come in now and over the weekend to help restore blood supplies to a safe level. Summer is historically a slow time for blood donations due to travel and school breaks, while the need to help patients in local hospitals remains constant.
Every two seconds a person needs blood, but only three percent of Americans donate blood, despite 65 percent being eligible. Blood donors are anonymous heroes in the event of disasters and mass casualty events. Locally, LifeSouth Community Blood Centers celebrates blood donors every day, and especially on World Blood Donor Day.
June 14 through June 16, LifeSouth donors will receive a $25 e-gift card when they give at a LifeSouth donor center or bloodmobile. Those donating platelets or double red cells receive an additional $20 e-gift card. Donors donating at a LifeSouth donor center will also receive a hat, while supplies last.
LifeSouth encourages Northeast Florida residents to celebrate the spirit of World Blood Donor Day in one of the following ways:
- Give Blood. Whether you’re a regular or first-time donor, visiting one of LifeSouth’s donor centers or signature red, white and blue bloodmobiles is a powerful way to make a difference. Donors are encouraged to bring a friend to donate and share the lifesaving experience.
- Host a Blood Drive. LifeSouth urges all businesses, organizations, churches, neighborhoods and professional groups to consider hosting a blood drive to help ensure a safe and steady supply for local hospitals. LifeSouth provides planning support, donor recognition gifts and snacks to make each drive a success. For more details, contact LifeSouth District Community Development Coordinator James Skahn at jlskahn@lifesouth.org.
- Share why you donate. One of the most common reasons why people don’t give blood is because they aren’t asked to. Sharing a personal story about why you donate can help encourage another person to donate, as well. Tag @LifeSouth in your story on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, and use the hashtag #WorldBloodDonorDay.
- Support Blood Advocacy Week. More than 80 blood centers and organizations from around the country joined together to support Blood Advocacy Week by urging Members of Congress to take key actions to support the blood supply as a national priority. To learn more about Blood Advocacy Week and how you can help encourage support for blood donation, visit bloodadvoacyweek.org.
LifeSouth supplies blood to 70% of Northeast Florida hospital beds through its service to many regional hospitals, including Baptist Medical Center Beaches, Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, Baptist Medical Center Nassau, Baptist Medical Center South, Baptist Medical Center Clay County, HCA Florida Memorial Hospital, HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital, UF Health Jacksonville, UF Health North and Wolfson Children’s Hospital. These hospitals rely on LifeSouth and LifeSouth blood donors to make sure blood is available before it is needed. All blood types are asked to donate now to ensure local hospitals have the blood needed to help patients suffering from traumas, cancers and chronic illnesses.
For additional information about donation or to find a blood drive near you, call LifeSouth toll-free at 888-795-2707, visit www.lifesouth.org or download the LifeSouth app. Appointments can also be made online. Donor centers across Northeast Florida are located at the below addresses, and information on mobile blood drives happening across the region can be found at www.lifesouth.org.
Northeast Florida Headquarters (7840 Baymeadows Way)
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Fleming Island (1605 County Rd. 220, Suite 160)
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Julington Creek (445 S.R. 13 N., Suite 25)
Sunday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday: Friday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
St. Augustine (292 State Route 312)
Sunday: Closed
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Thursday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Palatka (6003 Crill Ave)
Monday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Tuesday: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Wednesday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thursday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Friday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
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About LifeSouth:
LifeSouth is a non-profit community blood bank serving more than 150 hospitals in Alabama, Florida and Georgia. LifeSouth is committed to meeting the blood supply needs of hospitals and their patients by providing the highest quality blood components and services. The LifeSouth team is dedicated to making sure the blood is there when a patient is in need. To learn more, visit LifeSouth.org of donatingblood.org.