"The Carolina's Region of the American Red Cross has issued an urgent appeal for blood donors.
The Carolinas Region has less than a day's supply of blood in most blood types and may not be able to meet the demand for blood at 120 community hospitals in 80 counties of the Carolinas, Georgia and Tennessee, the Red Cross said in a news release dated Thursday (July 17).
"The blood shortage exists nationwide, so we can't look to other regions to support our needs," said Jerry Squires, chief executive officer of the Carolinas Region.
The Red Cross is urging donors to visit their local Red Cross donor center to give blood today. Giving blood is easy, safe and takes less than an hour, the Red Cross said. To donate blood, you must be healthy, at least 17 years old and weigh more than 110 pounds.
The nearest Red Cross blood collection center is located in Durham at 4737 University Drive, between Garrett Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.
The center's hours:
Monday and Wednesday: 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Every fourth Sunday: Noon to 4 p.m.
The center's phone number is 493-3551.
The University's annual blood drive will be held July 30 at the Dean Smith Center. Call 2-5663 to make an appointment.
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