Due to an increase in Covid-19 cases locally, Shepeard Community Blood Center is again experiencing a critical shortage of blood products. Shepeard, the CSRA’s local nonprofit blood center, is in critical need of ALL blood types, especially O Positive and O Negative. There is simply no blood on the shelf to send to local hospitals.
Shepeard has been dealing with this historic, nationwide blood shortage since Covid-19 cases first started appearing in March 2020. Due to the severity of this shortage, Shepeard cannot call on other blood centers for help. There have been a record number of drives cancelled due to business and school closures; cancelled blood drives means decreased donations and less products for our local hospitals.
The CSRA’s blood supply is supported strictly by the donations of volunteer blood donors. Shepeard supplies blood to several local hospitals including University Hospital, AU Health, Children’s Hospital of Georgia, and Burke Medical Center. When you donate with Shepeard, you really are donating local. Your donations go to help patients in need in your community.
As a general reminder, donors must be in good general health, weigh at least 110 pounds, and be at least 17 years old (or 16 with written parental consent) to donate. Be sure to bring a photo ID or Shepeard donor card with you when you come to donate. All donations are currently being tested for Covid-19 antibodies.
Call Shepeard at 706-737-4551 if you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment.
