The blood supply nationwide is low, a frequent occurrence in the summer months. Disruptions in regular collection patterns has left the Alabama blood supply at below optimum levels, say blood supply officials at the University of Alabama at Birmingham and the American Red Cross.
UAB and the Red Cross are holding a blood drive the week of July 9-14 at the UAB Hospital North Pavilion, second floor atrium. A drive is also scheduled for UAB Highlands Hospital on Wednesday, July 18 and Thursday, July 19. All blood types are needed.
Drive hours at the North Pavilion, 18th Street and 6th Ave. North, are:
- Monday, July 9, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 10, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Wednesday, July 11, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Thursday, July 12, 12 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Friday, July 13, 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Saturday, July 14, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Hours at UAB Highlands, 1201 11th Ave. South:
- Wednesday, July 18, 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
- Thursday, July 19, 6:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Donors should bring a photo ID. Free parking is available in the North Pavilion parking deck.
UAB is one of the largest users of blood nationally supplied by the Red Cross. Donors can give blood up to six times a year, every eight weeks. The overall process takes about 45 minutes. The actual blood collection usually takes less than 20 minutes.
Blood products are used during surgery, transplantation, trauma care, difficult pregnancies and cancer treatment. It is not unheard of for a single patient to require as many as 100 units.