FLOWOOD, Mississippi (WLBT) – Blood donations, the gift of life, are desperately needed here in the Magnolia State and across the country.
During the summer months, the shelves at MS Blood Services are virtually empty.
The organization that supplies blood to our local hospitals needs people to roll up their sleeves and donate.
“It can’t be manufactured, so someone has to donate it,” said Keith Schepers.
On Monday, he donated his blood to meet the urgent need. The accountant from Jackson regularly gives the gift of life.
“There’s always a need, always a need,” Schepers said. “I’ve been donating for about a year and a half now, and every few months they ask specifically for platelets. Platelets always seem to be in short supply.”
Blood groups 0 positive and 0 negative are also in short supply.
MS Blood Services supports more than 40 hospitals in the state and needs in neighboring states.
“We never know when a disaster like Hurricane Debby will strike,” said Christopher Swafford, president and CEO of MS Blood Services. “Many blood drives were disrupted. A cyberattack on another blood center in Florida also caused significant disruption, and we were asked to send blood to meet the need.”
“There is still a need and I want to contribute to it,” said Desma Kelly.
The Clinton-based professional is an engineering director and has been donating blood since college.
“My mom has been donating for a while, and so have my sisters,” Kelly said. “I guess it’s kind of a family thing in that it costs nothing, just a few minutes of your time.”
The agency requires about 200 units per day to meet the need for medical treatments and procedures as well as emergencies such as accidents.
“It makes you feel good to spend time giving to someone you probably don’t know,” Kelly added.
MBS offers $50 gift certificates for platelet donations and $20 gift certificates for regular blood donations. To learn how to donate or register for a mobile blood drive, call 601-368-2673 or visit www.msblood.com.
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