Local blood drive set next week

By Melinda L. Luca

A blood drive is scheduled to take place in Albany next Thursday, Jan. 27.

Hendrick Regional Blood Center will park its bloodmobile at First Baptist Church at the usual time from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m.

The blood center depends on volunteer blood donors to supply 100 percent of the blood that is used for patient care at 17 area hospitals.

Blood center officials said that there is an urgent need of blood donors of all types. In particular, officials said those who have O+ and O- are needed.

Earlier this month, Hendrick issued a plea for blood donations, saying it would run out of its blood supply by the end of that week if 60 units weren’t collected every day. Officials said that while people stepped up, blood donations are still needed.

Albany Kiwanis Club blood drives are scheduled roughly every eight weeks throughout the year, and the upcoming Jan. 27 event is the first one for 2022.

Local Kiwanians urge community members to donate blood to help ensure that patients in the hospitals served have a supply of blood ready and waiting when an emergency occurs.

Those who have eligibility questions can call Freddie Sosa at 325-670-2880. Other concerns or questions can be directed to Kelsey Caprio at 325-670-4271.