That's according to Regional Red Cross Coordinator Linda Rounds; Kelly Newberry came into the Gainesville Red Cross office downtown to help out during her lunch hour Tuesday.
"It's very simple to do," she said. "You just need to come in here and make an appointment, or just walk in."
Newberry added, "I have heard that they are in desperate need of blood donations."
Rounds said since May usage has been up and donations have been down due to schools being out for summer, family vacations and some industry employment cutbacks.
Rounds added that as soon as blood is collected, tested and delivered to local hospitals it is being used. It will take weeks to get the supplies back to safe adequate supplies.
"The serious need for blood donations continues and we encourage eligible donors to schedule appointments to donate as soon as possible," she said. "Each day in our Southern Region over 1,200 units are needed to keep up with demand from local hospitals."
The week of July 21 was busy, but over the weekend response has slowed. Some donors presenting at the Gainesville donor center who were not eligible to donate blood because they had donated within the last 56 days have donated platelets.
Platelet donations are also collected at the Gainesville donor center and are used to help patients with cancer, leukemia and other blood disorders. Platelets may be donated more often than whole blood.
The Gainesville donor center on Jesse Jewell Parkway is open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday from noon to 7 p.m.
The center is open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on the second and fourth Sundays between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
Kelly Newberry donates blood in Gainesville
Donor Center invites donors in Gainesville
http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/7/211908