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Blood donations could mean ultimate present this holiday season, gift of life

There is an urgent push to help save lives in the gift of giving the holiday season. vitalant says donations are often down 20% during this time of year.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – There is an urgent push to help save lives in the gift of giving the holiday season. Vitalant says donations are often down 20% during this time of year.

They need people to help fill the blood bank. Every two seconds in the United States, doctors are forced to tap into the supply.

There are a number of reasons for the decline, from more surgeries to balancing the daily need for multiple illnesses.

“Babies are needing blood. There are sickle cell patients in need of blood when they’re in crisis. There’s more than just those in a tragic situation. There are people whose lives are being maintained each and everyday because of the selfless act people are doing when they’re giving the ultimate gift, especially this time of year,” said Erskine Gillespie, Vitalant donor recruiter.

Vitalant stresses it’s the blood that’s already on the shelf that helps in an emergency, that’s why it’s crucial to maintain a ready supply at all times. There are also incentives for those who donate. To learn more, click here.

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