JMH Blood Bank supplies extremely critically low

1/12/2011

ABINGDON, Va. – The blood supply at Johnston Memorial Hospital Blood Bank is critically low. Blood supplies of Types O-negative, O-positive, A-negative and A-positive are extremely critically low. All other types are in critical need also. Donors must wait two weeks after having a flu shot to donate blood.

Healthy individuals who are between the ages of 16 and 65 and weigh more than 110 pounds are eligible to donate blood. Healthy donors who are currently taking blood pressure or cholesterol medications are eligible. Diabetic donors are eligible if certain criteria such as blood glucose level and routine checks on glucose level are met. First-time donors over the age of 65 must have permission from their doctors, ensuring that a blood donation will not compromise their health.

Donors must provide valid identification, such as driver’s license or a donor card, must have eaten a meal within the last 4 hours, and must be well and healthy. Donors who are 16 must have parental consent to donate.

JMH Blood Bank is the blood collection entity of Johnston Memorial Hospital, located in Abingdon. The JMH Blood Bank provides blood products to Smyth County Community Hospital, Marion, and Twin County Regional Hospital, Galax.

The JMH Blood Bank is located on the fifth floor of Johnston Memorial Hospital at the lab. The blood bank has its own donor room staffed at the hospital today (Wednesday, Jan. 12) until 4 p.m. The blood bank’s mobile unit will be at the Food City in Damascus on Thursday, Jan. 13 from 8:30 until 11:30 a.m. and at the Food City in Abingdon on Thursday, Jan. 13 from 1-4 p.m. If weather prohibits the mobile unit from going to Damascus, the staff plans on being at the Abingdon Food City all day.

To make a donation, call 276-619-9708

or stop by the JMH Blood Bank. For a blood drive schedule, visitwww.jmh.org/blood.

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