NASHVILLE – Over the last 48 hours, Blood Assurance has had to ship extra blood, platelet and plasma units to several Middle Tennessee hospitals that are treating patients who were injured during Saturday’s severe weather.

Blood Assurance remains in constant communication with hospital officials around the region.

Due to the increased demand, and to help replenish the supply, Blood Assurance is requesting donations from all donors across its service area, including those in the Tennessee Valley and Northwest Georgia.  

All donation centers are operating at their regularly scheduled hours. Donors can visit www.bloodassurance.org/schedule, call 800-962-0628, or text BAGIVE to 999777, to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins will be accepted.

To be eligible to donate blood, you must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids — avoiding caffeine — and eat a meal that is rich in iron prior to donating.

About Blood Assurance
Blood Assurance is a nonprofit, full-service regional blood center serving more than 70 health care facilities in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky and North Carolina. Founded in 1972 as a joint effort of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society, the Chattanooga Area Hospital Council and the Chattanooga Jaycees, the mission of Blood Assurance is to provide a safe and adequate supply of blood and blood components to every area patient in need.