KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — An organization that provides blood for hospitals and medical facilities across East Tennessee said it needs donations of O-negative blood ahead of the holidays.
MEDIC Regional Blood Center said it organized several promotions for December to attract donors. It said the organization is seeing higher demand for O-negative blood and for platelets.
"December is a great, is a big month for surgeries. A lot of people wait and do them at the end of the year, they're going to have extra time off. So, that gives them extra time to recover," said Kristy Altman, who works with MEDIC.
Donors will get a MEDIC beanie and a coupon for Texas Roadhouse if they give blood. From Dec. 4 through Dec. 15, donors can also choose not to take the beanie. If they choose not to take it, MEDIC said it would donate $5 to the East Tennessee Children's Hospital.
It is also collecting toy donations for the children's hospital at the MEDIC facility on Ailor Avenue.
From Dec. 18 through Dec. 23, MEDIC will also give away a pass to Ober Gatlinburg per donor. Following that, donors will get a $15 e-gift card from Dec. 26 through Dec. 31.
MEDIC previously said O-negative blood is the most common type of transfusion when a person's blood type is unknown, and it's the most common blood type requested in trauma incidents.
It also said around 7% of the population has O-negative blood. The blood type is known as the "universal donor," since it can be given to people who have any other blood type. However, people with O-negative blood can only receive donations of O-negative products.
Anyone who is able to donate O-negative blood can visit a donor center or mobile location to do so. There are four centers located in East Tennessee, listed below.
- Ailor Center: 1601 Ailor Avenue, Knoxville, TN, 37921
- Crossville Center: 96 Hayes Street, Crossville, TN, 38555
- Athens Center: 213 E. Washington Avenue Suite 104, Athens, TN, 37303
- Farragut Center: 11000 Kingston Pike Suite 4, Knoxville, TN 37934
Donors can also reach out to MEDIC Regional Blood Center to arrange an appointment by calling (865) 524-3074. They can also schedule an appointment online. MEDIC said the blood, platelets and plasma products currently on the shelves are what would be used to treat someone during trauma incidents. It takes at least three days for donated blood to be processed.