Patients Encouraged to Help Find Blood Donors

As elective surgeries return to regular schedules, patients are being encouraged to help blood banks find donors to help replenish the nation’s supply of blood.

Because of the nationwide shutdown from COVID-19, many blood drives have been canceled and not rescheduled. Patients who have surgeries scheduled at Mercy are being asked to help find donors among their friends, family members, co-workers and others.

Donating blood is a safe and easy way to provide hope, health and comfort to surgery, cancer, trauma and other patients, according to a statement from Your Blood Institute. Mercy Fort Smith has a blood drive planned May 22 for its co-workers to give back.

Most people 16 and older can donate blood, the institute states. Many conditions, including high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol, are acceptable. One donation can save up to three lives, the institute states. Donation typically takes about an hour.

For more information, visit yourbloodinstitute.org or call 1-877-340-8777.