FROM STAFF REPORTS

LifeSouth Community Blood Centers is now supplying blood products to Shelby Baptist Medical Center.

“We are thrilled to partner with Shelby Baptist Medical Center to serve this community’s blood needs,” said Ashley Smith, Central Alabama District director, in a press release from LifeSouth. “This is a natural fit for Shelby and LifeSouth. We all have one goal in mind, and that is saving lives here.”

LifeSouth is a non-profit community blood center and focuses on local needs and local donors. LifeSouth was founded in 1974 and now serves more than 100 hospitals in Georgia, Alabama and Florida.

The donors in the communities served by LifeSouth donate the blood needed for their community’s hospitals, who have the top priority for all blood collected. The donors understand that with LifeSouth, the blood they donate will be there waiting at the hospital for their friends, neighbors and family members.

“We’ll be calling on the community to book blood drives with LifeSouth to meet Shelby Baptist Medical’s needs,” Smith said. “Our bloodmobiles will be at every convenient location for residents to support their local patients.”

To book a blood drive at your business, school or church, call (866) 912-0683. Anyone at least 17 or 16 years of age with parental permission, weighing a minimum of 110 pounds and in good health is eligible to donate. A photo ID is also required.

To find a center, go to Lifesouth.org and click on the “Find a Drive” tab. Enter a zip code to find any donor center or blood drive. Call toll-free at (888) 795-2707 for center hours of operation or for more information about blood drives in the area.