Donations are slowest in summer months
NEW ORLEANS, LA - The Ochsner Blood Bank is asking all eligible blood donors to respond to an urgent need for blood donations. All blood types are needed to meet the growing blood needs of our expanding health system, especially during these summer months when people are less likely to donate. Community support through blood donation is critical as there is less than a one day supply of several crucial blood types for our patients.If you meet the following criteria you may be eligible to donate:
- If you are at least 17 years of age
- Weigh at least 110 pounds
- Are in good general health
- Individuals taking medications for high blood pressure or cholesterol, and individuals with controlled diabetes ARE eligible donors.
- Individuals that recently received the Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Tetanus or flu vaccinations ARE eligible donors.
As the communities around the New Orleans area continue to grow, so does the need for blood. The only way to maintain a safe and adequate blood supply is through volunteer donations.
Hospitals use blood and blood components every day and will need the support of their surrounding communities to help meet the blood needs of their patients. Ochsner Blood Bank's mission is to provide an adequate and safe blood supply for the hospitals and communities Ochsner serves. Ochsner Blood Bank takes pride in a proven track record of providing uninterrupted blood resource services to all medical facilities it serves. With the community's support, Ochsner Blood Bank looks forward to achieving this same goal at our newest community hospitals including Ochsner Baptist Medical Center, Ochsner Medical Center - Westbank in Gretna and Ochsner Medical Center - Kenner. In addition, Ochsner Blood Bank continues to provide blood services to Ochsner-St. Anne General in Raceland, Lady of the Sea Hospital in Cut Off/Galliano, Omega Hospital in Metairie and Southern Surgical Hospital in Slidell.
For more information regarding blood donation locations or hosting a blood drive in your area, please contact Ochsner Blood Bank at 504-842-3375.
Ochsner Health System (http://www.ochsner.org/) is a non-profit, academic, multi-specialty, healthcare delivery system dedicated to patient care, research and education. The system includes seven hospitals, a sub-acute facility, and 33 health centers located throughout Southeast Louisiana. Through our unique coordinated system, Ochsner provides healthcare with peace of mind because we put the needs of all patients first. Ochsner employs over 600 physicians in 80 medical specialties and subspecialties and conducts over 700 ongoing clinical research trials annually. Ochsner was ranked #1"Best Place to Work" by New Orleans CityBusiness Magazine in 2005 and 2006 and received the Consumer Choice for Healthcare in New Orleans for 12 consecutive years. Ochsner was ranked as "Best" Hospital by U.S. News and World Report in July 2007
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