LAPLACE – Every summer, across the nation, we face a crisis: a shortage of blood for transfusions. This shortage is a combination of decreased supply and increased demand. Schools and colleges, whose blood drives account for 25% of area blood donations, are out of session. Even regular blood donors find it hard to fit donating into their busy summer schedules. Compounding this is an increase in elective surgeries and accidents.

&#8220Anyone who is eligible to donate blood is encouraged to come out and donate this summer,” said The Blood Center’s Medical Director, Dr. Tim Peterson.  &#8220If there is any one time of the year to begin donating, now is the time.” 

As an extra &#8220tank” you, donors will be eligible to win free gas! The Blood Center is giving away a $100 gas card every day through June 30, and one lucky donor will win free gas for a year (a $1500 value).

The Blood Center’s La Place Donor Center is located at 123 Belle Terre Blvd. It is open Mon & Thurs: 2 pm – 8 pm, Sat: 9 am – 3 pm, and the phone number is (985) 652-9256.

Two local churches are also holding blood drives this week:

New Jerusalem Church

307 W. Lawson, Destrehan

Monday June 25, 3 pm – 8 pm

St. Michael’s Church

6484 LA Hwy 44, Convent

Sunday July 1, 8 am – 1 pm

The Blood Center is a non-profit community service organization serving over 30 hospitals and outpatient transfusion facilities throughout Southern Louisiana and Lower Mississippi. For more information or other donor center locations, please call The Blood Center at (800) 86-BLOOD or visit www.thebloodcenter.org.