Community Corner

Donate Blood Thursday, Flu Season Creates Need for More Donations

A Community Blood Drive will be held Thursday, Jan. 24 for the American Red Cross at Citizen's Hall, in the Douglas County Courthouse. Currently, all blood types are needed, with an urgent need for O negative and B negative.

A Community Blood Drive will be held Thursday, Jan. 24 for the American Red Cross at Citizen’s Hall, in the Douglas County Courthouse from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Call 1-800-RED CROSS to schedule an appointment or just walk in.

Flu season has arrived and may be a contributing factor to increased cancellations and fewer people keeping their appointments to donate blood, according to the Red Cross. As the numbers of cases grow, there may be a notable decrease in the number of healthy blood donors available to sustain the blood supply.
 
Currently, all blood types are needed, with an urgent need for O negative and B negative.

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Donating blood will not cause you to be more susceptible to the flu. Also, there is no waiting period to donate blood after receiving a flu vaccine, as long as you are feeling healthy and well the day of donation.

Healthy eligible donors continue to play a vital role in maintaining a stable blood supply during this time, and we ask that they keep their appointments to donate blood in the coming weeks.

Find out what's happening in Douglasvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Donors experiencing flu-like symptoms such as fever, lethargy, appetite loss, coughing, runny nose, sore throat, vomiting and diarrhea should not donate blood until 24-hours after symptoms have ceased. If a donor cannot keep a scheduled appointment at your drive, please encourage the donor to call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767), or visit redcrossblood.org to find another blood donation opportunity.


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