Lifeline Blood Services urges community to donate blood

JACKSON, TN (WNBJ) - Lifeline Blood Services is in dire need of help as the blood supply reaches extremely low levels. Employees at the blood donation center say don’t let the snow stop you from giving blood and saving lives.

“We like to collect 525 units a week. I don’t think we have collected but probably about a 150 this week,” said Caitlin Roach, the Marketing Director at Lifeline Blood Services.

Lifeline Blood Services needs donations to properly supply blood to 20 counties that including 17 hospitals and 14 air ambulances in west Tennessee.

Lifeline says giving blood is a simple process.

“I would just encourage people to challenge themselves if they have never done it or if it has been a few years since you’ve been here. It is the easiest, takes less than an hour, and no physical cost way to save up to three lives,” said Roach.

The Diversity and Inclusion Coordinator at Lifeline Blood Services wants to stress how important it is for people of color to donate as well.

“Here in Madison County, we know that half of our population is made up of minorities yet five percent are giving locally,” said Latrina Morman, the Diversity Inclusion Coordinator at Lifeline Blood Services.

Lifeline explains the community is not the only thing that is diverse.

“Blood groups are so diverse and so unique. So, everybody hears about O, AB, A, but we also want them to understand that there are so many different antigens that could be in your blood, so a lot of minorities have diverse blood. The hospitals are actually requesting to have it so that patients can receive different treatments,” said Roach.

Again, Lifeline urges community members to donate blood saying it could be the difference between life and death.