LifeSouth Honors Local Donors During World Blood Donor Days, June 13-15

Press release from LifeSouth Community Blood Centers

International observance has taken on new significance during coronavirus pandemic

Blood donors have played a vital role in the global response to the coronavirus pandemic. Locally, LifeSouth Community Blood Centers celebrates blood donors every day, and especially on World Blood Donor Day (Sunday, June 14, 2020).

World Blood Donor Day was first celebrated in May 2005, during the Fifty-Eighth World Health Assembly. Ministers of health from across the world made a unanimous declaration of commitment and support for voluntary blood donation. The theme for this year’s celebration is Safe Blood Saves Lives — an especially timely message, as blood donors in Gainesville have helped LifeSouth provide a safe and stable blood supply for local hospitals, such as UF Health, North Florida Regional Medical Center, and the VA Medical Center. 

From June 13 through June 15, LifeSouth’s Gainesville donor centers will celebrate World Blood Donor Days by providing all donors with a special edition T-shirt, $10 e-gift card and COVID-19 antibody test.

LifeSouth encourages Gainesville residents to celebrate the spirit of World Blood Donor Day in one of the following ways:

• Give Blood. Approximately 37 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate, yet less than 10 percent donate annually. Whether you’re a regular or first-time donor, visiting one of LifeSouth’s blood centers or signature red, white and blue bus is a way to make a difference. LifeSouth has remained fully operational as an essential service provider throughout the coronavirus pandemic and assures all donors that it is safe to give blood.
• Donate Convalescent Plasma. If you have recovered from COVID-19, you may be eligible to donate convalescent plasma that can help support the recovery of a local patient. For eligibility criteria and more information, visit lifesouth.bio-linked.org.
• Host a Blood Drive. As the reopening of Florida’s economy continues, LifeSouth urges all businesses, organizations, churches and professional groups to consider hosting a blood drive to help ensure a safe and steady supply for local hospitals. LifeSouth provides planning support, donor recognition gifts and snacks to make each drive a success. For more details, contact Laura Bialeck at lgbialeck@lifesouth.org.
• Share why you donate. One of the most common reasons why people don’t give blood is because they aren’t asked to. Sharing a personal story about why you donate can help encourage another person to donate, as well. Tag @LifeSouth in your story on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, and use the hashtag #WorldBloodDonorDay.

To find a donor center or blood drive, or to learn more about hosting a blood drive, visit LifeSouth.org.