Summer is a slow time for blood donations due to travel, school breaks, and weather, and with the 4^th of July next week, donations drop more due to the holiday.

Blood Donors Needed to Help with Summer Shortages  

LifeSouth representatives also report an increase in blood utilization at local hospitals, which may be due to increased roadway travel during the summer holiday season. LifeSouth asks the community to help by donating blood.   

Moffitt Cancer Center, UF Health, HCA Florida Citrus Hospital, HCA Florida Oak Hill Hospital, Bravera Health Brooksville, and Bravera Health Spring Hill hospitals all rely on LifeSouth and LifeSouth blood donors to make sure blood is available before it is needed. 1 in 3 people will need blood at some point in their lifetime. You never know when the person in need will be you, or a loved one. Blood donations are also vital to the cancer treatment process.   

Now through August 31, all donors receive a $20 e-gift card, and donors who give platelets or double red cells will receive an additional $20 e-gift card. Now more than ever, first time donors are needed, and LifeSouth asks all regular donors to bring a friend to your next donation appointment. All donors also receive a complementary mini-physical, including blood pressure checks, iron levels, and a cholesterol screening.   

• Donors must be at least 17 or 16 with parental permission, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds, and be in good health.
• A photo ID is needed. 
• LifeSouth has donor centers in Spring Hill, Brooksville, Lecanto, Inverness, Ocala, and The Villages.
• LifeSouth’s bloodmobiles will also be out at many locations in coming days (see attachment for schedule of upcoming blood drives).
• For additional information about donation or to find a blood drive near you, call LifeSouth toll-free at 888-795-2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org. Appointments can also be made online.   

• Spring Hill Donor Center: 4377 Commercial Way, Spring Hill. Open Tuesday – Friday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.  
• Brooksville Donor Center: 12395 Cortez Blvd, Brooksville. Open Monday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Tuesday-Thursday 7 a.m. – 4 p.m., Friday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., and Sunday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.  
• Lecanto Donor Center: 1241 S Lecanto Hwy, Lecanto. Open Monday – Tuesday 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Wednesday 8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Thursday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.  
• Inverness Donor Center: 2629 E Gulf to Lake Hwy, Inverness. Open Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.  
• Ocala Donor Center: 1607 E Silver Springs Blvd, Ocala. Open Monday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday – Wednesday 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Thursday – Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.   
• Villages Donor Center: 978 Bichara Blvd, The Villages. Open Tuesday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Wednesday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.   

Select Other Community Blood Drives:  

• Walmart, 2163 W.CR 48, Bushnell on July 5^th from 9:00-4:30  
• Moffitt Cancer Center, 12902 USF Magnolia Drive, Tampa on July 11^th from 10:00-5:00 and July 12^th from 12:00-7:00  
• Southern Pines Senior Living, 6140 Congress St, New Port Richey on July 13^th from 10:00 – 5:00  
• Subaru of Port Richey, 11613 US Hwy 19, Port Richey on July 15^th from 11:00-5:00  
• Office Depot, 935 N 14^th St, Leesburg on July 2^nd – July 8^th from 10:00-4:00   
• Crystal Harley-Davidson, 1147 S Suncoast Blvd, Homosassa on July 8^th from 9:00-3:00  
• On Top of the World, 9050 SW 99^th St Rd. Golf Club Parking Lot, Ocala on July 3^rd from 8:00-4:00  
• Find more near you at www.lifesouth.org  

About LifeSouth:  

LifeSouth is a non-profit community blood bank serving more than 125 hospitals in Alabama, Florida, and Georgia. LifeSouth is committed to meeting the blood supply needs of hospitals and their patients by providing the highest quality blood components and services. The LifeSouth team is dedicated to making sure the blood is there when a patient is in need. To learn more, visit LifeSouth.org or donatingblood.org.