The Fleming Education Center Auditorium on the University of Southern Mississippi’s Gulf Park campus will be the site of a blood drive on Thursday, June 9.
Organizers say the need for blood is constant, and only by having volunteer donors can that need be fulfilled for patients in the community. Across the country, someone needs a unit of blood every two to three seconds, and most people will need blood in their lifetimes.
According to the American Red Cross, the gift of a blood donation can help up to three people, but donated blood has a shelf life of only up to forty-two days. Blood donations from the community help ensure that patients in local hospitals have a supply of blood ready and waiting before an emergency occurs.
Donors must be at least sixteen years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and feeling well. The donation process typically takes about an hour, with the blood donation itself only taking eight to ten minutes. Check-in and registration, health history and follow-up refreshments make up the remainder of the appointment.
According to the Red Cross, donors with all blood types are needed, especially those with types O negative, A negative and B negative.
The blood drive will be held from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Appointments can be made online at www.RedCrossBlood.org. Use sponsor code USMGC and select the University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park Campus.
The Fleming Education Center Auditorium is located at 203 Bear Point Drive in Long Beach.
For more information, call the Gulf Park Health Center at 228-214-3300.
