DEMOPOLIS-Hurricane Dennis may not have caused serious damage to the city, but it did cause United Blood Services to cancel numerous blood drives. As a result, the area is in dire need of blood.

The Comfort Care Hospice, located at 1060 Bailey Drive, is hosting a community blood drive Monday, July 18 from 1 to 6 p.m.

“They are behind 100 units of blood because of Dennis,” Stephanie Hoggle, Hospice consultant, said. “There’s a lot of O-type blood in the area so there is a great need for it.”

Hoggle said a lot of people come to United Blood Services, UBS, because the blood donations will directly benefit patients in the area.

Currently, the hospice is scheduling times for donors to give blood. Donors can also be worked in throughout the day. The process takes about 10- 15 minutes and donors will receive t-shirts and door prizes.

Donors must be at least 17 years of age, weigh at 110 pounds or more, and have identification containing legal name and either date of birth, social security number, UBS assigned donor number, or photo ID. Also, donors should bring a complete list of medications taken in the past month.

The donors cannot give blood if they have given blood donations in the past eight weeks or if it has been less than three days since a platelet or apheresis donation.

The hospice is planning another drive for September or October.

To schedule an appointment, call (334) 289-2106.

DO NOT DONATE IF YOU:

* Have cold or flu symptoms on day of donations or do not feel well

* Have taken oral antibiotics in the last three days

* Have had Hepatitis after the age of 11

* Have had close contact with a person who has clinical Hepatitis within the past 12 months

* Have a history of cancer in the past year (except some skin or in situ cancers)

* Have received a blood transfusion in the last 12 months

* Have had malaria within the last three years or traveled to a malaria risk area within the last 12 months

* Are or have been pregnant in the past six weeks

* Have been treated for syphilis or gonorrhea in the past 12 months

* Have used a needle to inject nonprescription drugs (including steroids)

* Are at risk for HIV exposure, the virus which causes AIDS

* Have had a tattoo, ear or skin piercing, acupuncture, accidental needlestick or come in contact with someone else’s blood in the past 12 months. Ear or skin piercing and acupuncture procedures performed using single use, sterile or properly heat sterilized equipment are acceptable.