FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – An urgent plea by the Central California Blood Center…
“We need donors today, we need them tomorrow, and we need the over the next few days.” – Leslie Botos, Director of Community Relations & Development, Central California Blood Center.
Leslie Botos from the Central California Blood Center says their supply has been affected by flooding locally, and is at a critical level, once again, because donation drives that were set up have now been cancelled as residents are dealing with flooding.
To add desperation to the situation, the Center was to receive more than 100 units that would have been shipped from the East Coast – but now can’t get out because planes are grounded due to the bad weather.
Botos says it’s fast and easy to donate.
Blood donation takes less than one hour to complete. Donors must be in good general health, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be at least 17 years old (16 years old with written parental consent). Senior citizens are encouraged to donate, as there is no upper age limit. Donors should eat a good meal and drink plenty of water within 4 hours prior to their donation. Donors can give blood every eight weeks. Photo ID is required at donor registration.
Donation Centers:
Jenny Eller Donor Center – NW Fresno, 4343 Herndon Ave., Fresno, M-F 9a-6p, Sat. 9a-3p.
Fresno Donor Center, 1196 E. Shaw #102, Fresno, M-F 9a-6p, Sat. 9a-3p.
North Fresno Donor Center, 1010 E. Perrin, Fresno, M-F 9a-6p, Sat. 9a-3p.
Visalia Donor Center, 1515 S. Mooney Blvd., Visalia, M-F 9a-6p, Sat. 9a-1p.
Info: www.donateblood.org
The Central California Blood Center is the sole provider of blood and blood products for the 30 hospitals in Fresno, Tulare, Madera, Kings and Mariposa Counties and must collect between 5,000 to 6,000 pints of blood a month to meet the needs of the Valley community.
Click below to listen to the story by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
