May 23, 2008

AUGUSTA, Ga. – Shepeard Community Blood Center, the only contracted provider for the Joseph M. Still Burn Center, is asking all healthy individuals with Type O and Type B Negative Blood to donate with Shepeard today or as soon as possible. This blood is needed for imminent surgeries at the burn center and also to prepare the blood supply for the Memorial Day Weekend.

Type B Blood is rare (just ten percent of the American population has Type B blood) and tends to be more common in non-white Americans. Among those with Type B, about 20% are African Americans, 27% are Asians, 11% are white, and 4% of Native Americans.

Shepeard is also in need of Type O donors. O Negative is the universal donor so that blood can help anyone. O Positive blood is the most common type of blood (38% of the population) so is always greatly needed.

Donors need to be in good health and 17 years and older or 16 years with written parental consent.
To find a place to donate: www.shepeardblood.org or (706) 737-4551

Shepeard Community Blood Center locations:

Augusta, GA Evans, GA

1533 Wrightsboro Road 460 North Belair Road
Mon. - Fri., 9-6 Mon. – Fri., 10-6

Martinez, GA Aiken, SC
112 Davis Road 353 Fabian Drive,
Tues. – Fri., 10-6 . Hitchcock Plaza
Sat., 10-2 Tues. – Sat., 10-6

Information from Shepeard Community Blood Center