LifeSouth hosts Independence Day Celebration

MADISON – Summer is always a difficult time of year to keep the blood supply for local hospitals at adequate levels, especially during holiday weeks and weekends.

The Madison Donor Center of LifeSouth Community Blood Centers is working to prevent blood shortages this Fourth of July by hosting an Independence Day Celebration on July 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The first 20 donors at the center will receive a free movie ticket, and all donors will be entered throughout the day in a raffle for a grill basket. All donors also will receive a free LifeSouth recognition item.

The Madison center’s goal for the day is to draw blood from 20 or more donors.  The Madison Donor Center is located at 8190 Madison Blvd. 

“Summer vacations and travel mean many of those who regularly step aboard a bloodmobile or into LifeSouth’s donor centers aren’t around to help,” Eric Franchois said. Franchois works as District Community Development Coordinator in Madison.

Fewer than 40 percent of Americans can donate blood, and fewer than 10 percent of those who can donate actually do. “That’s why every donor is so important. It’s also why, if just a few more people step up in the summertime, it can have a huge impact,” Franchois said.

While all blood types are needed, O Negative blood (the universal donor) and platelets especially are in demand.

Blood donors must be at least 17 years old. However, a 16-year-old can be a donor with parental permission, if the person weighs a minimum of 110 pounds, and if the youth is in good health. A photo ID is required.

LifeSouth donors receive a complementary cholesterol screening with each donation. For additional information on blood donation, contact LifeSouth at 888-795-2707 or visit lifesouth.org.

To contact the Madison donor center, call Franchois at 256-533-8246 or email egfranchois@lifesouth.org.