LIFELINE Issues Critical Appeal for Blood Donations

PARIS (July 28) — Lifeline Blood Services has issued a critical and immediate appeal for all blood types after medical emergencies over the weekend significantly depleted the region’s blood supply.  

Two local patients required massive, lifesaving blood transfusions over the weekend. One patient was treated for a dissected abdominal aortic aneurysm, while another suffered a punctured heart during surgery. Thanks to the availability of donated blood and the quick actions of their medical teams, both patients received the transfusions they desperately needed. However, the extraordinary amount of blood required in these emergencies has left local inventories at critically low levels. 

“Our community’s blood supply can change in an instant. These emergencies are a powerful reminder that blood cannot be manufactured- it can only come from generous volunteer donors. We need our community to respond now so we are prepared for the next patient whose life will depend on having blood available immediately. Without immediate donors, patient care will be directly impacted," said Melinda Reid, marketing manager with Lifeline Blood Services.

Blood must be available before an emergency occurs. Trauma victims, surgical patients, cancer patients, and individuals with chronic illnesses depend on a ready and reliable blood supply every day. 

Lifeline Blood Services is asking all eligible donors, regardless of blood type, to donate as soon as possible. No appointment is necessary to donate on a bloodmobile or at one of Lifeline's donation centers in Jackson, Dyersburg or Paris. It only requires about 30 to 45 minutes of your time. 

Lifeline Blood Services, located at 183 Sterling Farms Drive, is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. The Dyersburg Center (1130 Hwy 51 Bypass, Ste. 19 & 20) and Paris Center (211 Tyson Ave.) have the following operating hours: Sunday through Tuesday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Wednesday and Saturday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., closed Thursday and Friday. 

Lifeline Blood Services is one of the nation’s oldest blood centers. Established in Jackson Tennessee in 1947, Lifeline provides blood products to Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas,  servicing hospitals, rehabilitation centers, children’s hospitals, cancer centers, air ambulance services and ground ambulance services. Annually, the Center collects approximately 26,000 blood products (red cell units, platelets, plasma, etc.) to meet the needs of patients. Of that total, 75% of those products are usually collected on bloodmobiles. Lifeline also provides reference lab and cross-matching services to healthcare facilities.