Blood drive at BPC set for Sept. 16

MOUNT VERNON -- The ongoing summer blood shortage has reached emergency proportions, with only a few hours of blood left in the American Red Cross inventory. The critical shortage already has caused sporadic cancellations of elective surgeries and many hospitals are reporting that more potential surgery cancellations are possible if more blood is not available, say Red Cross officials.

To alleviate the everyday need for blood on a regional basis, the Baptist Student Union of Brewton-Parker College is working with the American Red Cross Southern Region Blood Services to have a blood drive Tuesday, Sept. 16, on the Brewton-Parker campus in Mount Vernon.

The Bloodmobile will be open behind Gates Hall from 1:30-6:30 p.m.

All eligible blood donors are urged to give blood. A special appeal is being made to all donors with type O and B blood to give blood today without fail. Type O blood, which can be given to any patient regardless of blood type, is badly needed because it is used extensively in trauma centers and for newborns.

People who donate blood are seen as everyday heroes to each person who has ever needed a blood transfusion.

To become an everyday hero and set an appointment for the blood drive, contact Glenn Wallace, campus minister and BSU director at Brewton-Parker, at 583-3212.

-BPC-