For more information, contact:

Linda Hisey
cell: (423) 667-5685
LindaHisey@BloodAssurance.org
or Bonnie Phillips
cell: (423) 322-5821
BonniePhillips@BloodAssurance.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2014



Give Blood in Honor of Our Troops for Memorial Day


Blood Assurance, your regional blood center, would like to encourage all donors to give blood in honor of our
past and present troops in the days adjacent to Memorial Day weekend. The following Blood Assurance
centers will be open on Monday, May 26 - Memorial Day - from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.: Hixson, Downtown
Chattanooga and Tullahoma in Tennessee; Rome and Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia and Abingdon, Virginia. All
other blood centers will be closed that day. Our lab will be open to process, test and type previously donated
units for patients in need at our area hospitals. Blood Assurance serves 47 counties in a 5 state region, and is
the sole provider of blood and blood components for over 70 healthcare facilities.

During the holidays, because more people are traveling through our area, more accidents are happening, and
boating and swim season typically begins this weekend, the need for blood rises. Unfortunately, blood
donations decrease during the summer months and around holidays, mainly because schools are out, and
people are vacationing away from home. When a typical automobile accident occurs, the victim, if he or she
needs blood, can use more than 50 units.

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. The process usually takes about 30 minutes and includes a
complimentary snack and t-shirt. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids - avoiding caffeine - and eat a meal
that is rich in iron prior to donating.

For more information about donating blood, please call Blood Assurance at 1-800-962-0628 or go to
www.BloodAssurance.org.

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Pictured: Blood Assurance limited edition Memorial Day T Shirt