HomeCommunity organizationsLifeSouth Community Blood Centers urges community to donate blood during National EMS Week

LifeSouth Community Blood Centers urges community to donate blood during National EMS Week

May 12, 2026

Press release from LifeSouth Community Blood Centers

ALACHUA COUNTY, Fla. – Life South Community Blood Centers celebrates National Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week (May 17–23) — and calls on community members to honor first responders by donating blood.

National EMS Week is now in its 52nd year, celebrating with the theme “Improving Outcomes, Together.” This awareness week honors the paramedics, EMTs, and emergency physicians who provide lifesaving care every day — and donating blood is one of the most direct ways the public can support their work in improving outcomes.

LifeSouth provides blood to emergency medical teams, including Alachua County Fire Rescue, ShandsCair, Bradford County Fire Rescue, and TraumaOne Lake City, supplying their EMS vehicles with lifesaving blood to be used directly at the scene of major trauma events. LifeSouth also supplies blood to local hospitals, including UF Health, HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, HCA Florida Gainesville Hospital, Malcom Randall VA, HCA Florida Lake City Hospital, and  HCA Florida Starke Emergency. 

All blood types are needed, and all donors during the month of May will receive a free T-shirt; from May 18-25, all donors will also receive a $25 e-gift card and T-shirt. Platelet, plasma, and double red cell donors receive a $40 e-gift card and T-shirt. 

LifeSouth is also offering complimentary A1c testing to all blood donors, giving donors the chance to learn if they may have pre-diabetes or diabetes, and more about their health.

Blood drives will be held at local HCA Florida locations during National EMS Week and Alachua County Fire Rescue. See times and locations below. 

Visit a LifeSouth donor center or blood drive. Walk-ins are always welcome. Appointments can be scheduled at www.lifesouth.org or by calling 1-888-795-2707.

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