Marsh Regional Blood Center invites blood donors to give in honor of World Blood Donor Day

Marsh Regional Blood Center invites residents of the Appalachian Highlands to donate blood or platelets on Friday, June 13, as a part of World Blood Donor Day, joining organizations around the world to honor blood donors and spread awareness of the importance of regular donation.

Since 2005, the World Health Organization has celebrated World Blood Donor Day – an international celebration of the world’s blood donors that raises awareness of the importance of donating blood and blood products. The day highlights the importance of regular donation to sustain a lifesaving supply of blood and blood products, such as plasma and platelets.

For Marsh Regional, World Blood Donor Day marks an opportunity to spread the word about the benefits of blood and blood product donations. All donors who give during World Blood Donor Day will earn a T-shirt.

“Blood donors save millions of lives around the world every year, and the Appalachian Highlands needs a base of regular blood donors just like anywhere else,” said Steffanie Sukel, director of Marsh Regional. “We want to encourage everyone who is able to consider visiting a Marsh Regional location to learn more about donating. The donations collected by Marsh Regional stay within the region, so your gift could even save the life of someone you know. Each donation can save the lives of three people.”

All three Marsh Regional donation centers will be collecting donations from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on World Blood Donor Day. Donors can call one of the donation centers to schedule an appointment, and online scheduling is available at marshblood.com. Walk-ins are welcome but might experience a longer wait time.

Donation center locations include:

• Bristol, Tennessee, 1996 W. State St. – 423-652-0014
• Johnson City, 2428 Knob Creek Road – 423-282-7090
• Kingsport, 111 W. Stone Drive – 423-408-7500

In addition, there will be three mobile blood drives as well. Mobile locations include:

• Bristol Regional Medical Center 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Blue Ridge Job Corps (Marion, Virginia) 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Russell County Hospital (Lebanon, Virginia) 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

To give blood, donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. People with a cold, sore throat, fever, flu or fever blisters or those who are taking antibiotics are not eligible to donate. Donors should eat a well-balanced meal before giving blood.