CURRENT U.S. BLOOD SUPPLY IS ADEQUATE TO HANDLE DEMANDS

The American Association of Blood Banks Task Force on Domestic Disasters and Acts of Terrorism has determined that the current blood supply in the United States is adequate to meet the needs of hospital patients in Boston, Mass. To help ensure that the U.S. blood supply remains sufficient, the task force recommends that eligible donors call their local blood donation center to schedule an appointment for the coming weeks and months.

“U.S. blood banks have enough blood to meet the immediate medical needs of explosion victims in Boston,” said Lawrence Smith, chair of the task force. “The blood community is committed to ensuring a coordinated response to the affected area and will continue to provide updates should additional blood supplies be required.”

“When there’s a tragedy, disaster or emergency, it’s the blood on the shelves right that minute that saves lives”, states Sergio Carrasco, Executive Director of United Blood Services in El Paso and the entire West Texas and Southern New Mexico region. “We never know when something like yesterday’s terrible explosions will happen anywhere in the country. That’s why every community must have a strong local blood supply every single day. O-negative blood is especially important in emergencies—it can be transfused to anyone if there’s no time to do a cross-match”, said Carrasco.

At United Blood Services, we encourage everyone to donate regularly throughout the year, especially as we head into the summer. High school and college donors provide about 30 percent of this area’s blood supply, and we don’t have our school facilities open during the summer months.  So we definitely encourage people to make an appointment to donate between now and Memorial Day and again between the Fourth of July and Labor Day.

You can call and make and appointment to donate toll free 1-877-UBS HERO ( 827-4376) or go to our website and make an appointment at unitedbloodservices.org.

If you would like to donate without an appointment feel free to visit our centers.
424 S. Mesa Hills Dr.  El Paso  79912
1338 N. Zaragosa Dr. El Paso  79912
1200 Commerce Dr.   Las Cruces, NM 88011

HOURS OF OPERATION:
Wednesday  10AM – 5PM   Thursday Noon – 7PM   Friday 8AM – 2PM    Saturday 8AM – 3PM
Monday and Tuesday Open for Platelet donations only 9AM – 2PM
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Please feel free to donate at these mobile drives this week and weekend:

Wednesday, April 17    Franklin High School         8:00 – 5:00

Thursday, April 18             Bowie High                9:00 – 3:00
El Paso Zoo               10:00 – 2:00

Friday, April 19        Cielo  Vista Mall                              Noon – 5PM
Del Sol Medical Center                   7:30 AM – 5:30 PM
EP Police Dept. Pebble Hills         10:00 – 1:30 PM

Saturday, April 20     Cielo Vista Mall                                    Noon – 5:00 PM
West Valley Fire Dept                         11:00 – 3:00
Comm.  Of Deming @ Wal – Mart     9:00 – 1:00

Sunday, April 21        Cielo Vista Mall                    Noon – 5:00
Cielo Vista Church              10:00 – 2:00
Christ the Savior Church     9:00 – 1:00
West Valley Fire Dept         Noon – 4:00
Wal Mart Silver City            10:30 – 2:30