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Whitfield Regional Hospital is hosting a blood drive on Oct. 5 from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The hospital asks that everyone who is able and willing come out to donate blood for local hospitals. Walk-ins are welcome or people can scan QR codes on posters around town to set up an appointment.

On Sept. 11, the American Red Cross declared a national blood shortage. Blood supplies at hospitals are reported to be critically low as supplies have dropped nearly 25 percent since August.

According to the Red Cross, when blood supplies dropped to critical levels, inventories can take several weeks to recover. On www.redcross.org, it is estimated that “10,000 additional blood products” must be collected every week over the next month to meet the needs of hospitals and their patients.

LifeSouth Chief Operating Officer JD Pettyjohn wrote in a recent release, “Blood donors are needed every day to make sure blood is available immediately when it is needed and a significant decrease means the care of patients can be affected,” said JD Pettyjohn, LifeSouth’s COO. “It is imperative to maintain a stable blood supply to ensure blood is available to help patients in need.”

Blood donors must be 17 years old or older (16 with written parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more, and show a photo I.D. For more information, call 888-795-2707 or visit www.lifesouth.org. All donors receive a recognition item and cholesterol screening. Donors will also receive a $20 e-gift card.