Williamson County Chamber: BLOOD ASSURANCE SEEKS TO EDUCATE NASHVILLE'S MINORITY COMMUNITIES ON DONATING BLOOD  

Press release from Williamson County Chamber:

July 22, 2021

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Contact: Max Winitz
maxwinitz@bloodassurance.org
(615) 772-6681 

BLOOD ASSURANCE SEEKS TO EDUCATE NASHVILLE’S MINORITY COMMUNITIES ON DONATING BLOOD  

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 22, 2021) – A Blood Assurance bloodmobile will be on-site at this weekend’s PENCIL Community Health Event, in an effort to educate Nashville’s many minority communities on the importance of donating blood. 

The inaugural health fair is scheduled for Saturday, July 24 from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Southeast Regional Community Center, located at 5260 Hickory Hollow Pkwy in Antioch. The event is being held for Metro Nashville Public Schools students and their families who live in the diverse Davidson County community. It will feature clinical booths, COVID-19 vaccinations, door prizes, free diapers, food trucks and more.  

Since January 1, 2021 only 7% of Blood Assurance donations have come from individuals in minority communities. Donations from the Hispanic community, for example, only account for about 3% of the overall donation total. 

“Hispanic blood donors are incredibly vital to Blood Assurance,” according to Dr. Ted Kieffer, the medical director for Blood Assurance in Middle Tennessee. “Recent data tells us that nearly 60% of the Hispanic population has Type O blood, which is often in high demand at area medical facilities.” 

Currently, there is a critical need for Type O-negative blood in Middle Tennessee.  

Blood Assurance will have a translator available at Saturday’s health fair to assist individuals wishing to donate blood.  The bloodmobile will be collecting life-saving blood until 1 p.m.  

Blood donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment online at bloodassurance.org/pencil0724, or by calling 800-962-0628, or by texting BAGIVE to 999777. Walk-ins will be accepted.  

High school students who donate will be automatically entered to win one of three MacBook Pro laptops. In addition, all blood donors will receive a free insulated tote bag and be entered to win a yeti cooler.  

To be eligible to donate blood, you must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids — avoiding caffeine — and eat a meal that is rich in iron prior to donating. 

About Blood Assurance
Blood Assurance is a nonprofit, full-service regional blood center serving more than 70 health care facilities in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky and North Carolina. Founded in 1972 as a joint effort of the Chattanooga-Hamilton County Medical Society, the Chattanooga Area Hospital Council and the Chattanooga Jaycees, the mission of Blood Assurance is to provide a safe and adequate supply of blood and blood components to every area patient in need.  

This press release was produced by Williamson County Chamber. The views expressed here are the author’s own.