LifeShare in need of blood donors

LifeShare Blood Centers of Alexandria will be hosting two blood drives later this week in preparation for the July Fourth holiday.
The drives will be held from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Thursday, July 2 at Byrd Regional Hospital and from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Friday at Wal-Mart.
Healthy people who are 17 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds are being asked to donate blood.
During summer months local blood supplies become dangerously low and more people in Central Louisiana are needed as donors to keep up with patient blood needs.
At this time people with all blood types are needed.
The most important reason for donation not only during the holiday season but during the entire year is that one unit of blood has the ability to assist in the lifesaving measures of three patients.
When units of blood are collected they are separated into different components, plasma, platelets and red blood cells, which are used for a patient's specific need.
Depending on the type of injury or illness, patients will be given the component that will assist in their treatment.
Blood also has a shelf-life of 42 days. If the blood is not used during that time, then it is disposed of by certified personnel. Individuals are encouraged to donate blood as often as possible, which is every 56 days.
Approximately 700 blood donors are needed every week in Central Louisiana to supply patients in 16 hospitals in the area. 
Area patients need 470 units of blood components daily. It is also reported that one out of every three people will need a blood transfusion during their lifetime.
Major Reasons Patients Need Blood
• Cancer
• Heart and blood vessel disease
• Disease of the gastrointestinal tract
• Emergencies such as car accidents and burns
• Transplants
LifeShare Blood Centers is the community nonprofit organization that draws and supplies blood for the people in Cenla. 
The Alexandria office is located at 2051 North Mall Drive across from the Alexandria Wal-Mart.  Donor hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. until noon on Saturday.