Hattiesburg United Blood Services in need of blood

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The following is a press release from the United Blood Services.

United Blood Services is asking you to “hop on in” to our donor center at 805 S. 28th Avenue in Hattiesburg, or to any of the numerous mobile drives taking place throughout the Pine Belt Region during the month of April! Resurrect your spirit of giving.

Donate blood April 1-16 and receive a “Donating with my Peeps” t-shirt for your efforts! Make an impact on local patients by “springing” into action this April.

Let’s not put all of our eggs in one basket, donate blood in April to make sure our need for life saving blood is met! One in seven people who enter a hospital will need blood. The only way to ensure the blood is available is for donors to donate on a regular basis.

Donors can access donor center hours, find a mobile blood drive in their community and schedule an appointment to donate at www.bloodhero.com or call 877-UBS-HERO (877-827-4376).

As always, all blood types are needed in order to prevent any blood type shortages from occurring. However, United Blood Services is in need of red cell donations from type O-negative and A-negative donors. Type O negative blood is the only type that can safely be given to patients of all blood types. There is also a need for platelet donations from type A donors and platelet and plasma donations from type AB donors.

Donors can also visit www.UnitedBloodServices.org the day of their donation and click on the “Health History Questionnaire”. This allows donors to complete the interview portion of their donation on-line, in the privacy of their home or office. Make sure to print your “Fast track donation ticket” and bring it with you to your donation.

Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health.

Additional height/weight requirements apply to donors 22 and younger, and donors who are 16 and 17 years of age must have signed permission from a parent or guardian. Donors receive a free cholesterol test. Donors also earn points in our “Hero in Me” online rewards store. Points can be redeemed for movie tickets, pizza, shopping cards and more at www.BloodHero.com. A photo ID is required to donate. For more information, call 877-UBS HERO (877-827-4376