Blood inventories at the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center are low and that supply level is expected to drop even further with the recent events of Hurricane Katrina.
A city-wide blood drive to meet the demand for blood in the region and beyond is set for Wednesday, Sept. 7 at Laredo Community College.
The blood drive will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Kazen College Center on the main campus. The event is sponsored by the blood and tissue center with the cooperation of LCC Health Services.
To help prevent a shortage in its blood supply, the blood and tissue center urges eligible blood donors to donate to help the hurricane victims once the center is called to ship blood into the affected area.
Blood and tissue center officials say that the community blood supply will most likely drop to low levels with the Labor Day holiday. Eligible donors are encouraged to donate at the LCC blood drive to assist the communities the center serves, and those of Louisiana and New Orleans.
To donate blood, the donor must be 17 years of age or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good general health.
Proper photo identification is required to donate blood. Donors also should eat and drink plenty of fluids before donating blood.
Blood donors will be rewarded with a T-shirt and refreshments.
For more information, contact LCC Health Services at 721-5189.
Office of Marketing and Public Information
West End Washington St.
Laredo, TX 78040-4395
956- 721-5140
Fax 956-721-5443