DCH Health System Asks For Blood Donations Amid Shortage

TUSCALOOSA, AL — DCH Health System says it is facing a blood shortage following the devastating round of severe storms that moved over west Alabama last week.

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DCH Health System said on Thursday that it has reached a critical level for type O blood and is approaching critical levels for other types, which comes at a time when the system is experiencing an increase in blood usage for patient care.

The hospital system then explained that all blood types are needed to ensure the hospital has the blood required to treat trauma cases, surgical procedures and patients needing blood transfusions on a daily basis.

LifeSouth — the sole blood provider for the DCH Health System — is available for donations, which take about an hour and can save up to three lives.

DCH says donors must be at least 17 years old, or 16 with parental permission, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. A photo I.D. is also required.

Donors will receive a thank you gift, refreshments and a mini-physical, including cholesterol, iron level, temperature and blood pressure.

Click here to view donation locations or call (888) 795-2707.

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