Blood Assurance is making it a little easier for people in Walker and Catoosa counties to donate blood during August with its New Blood in North Georgia campaign.

The campaign, created in 2006 by Blood Assurance’s North Georgia Advisory Board, aims to increase blood donations within Walker and Catoosa during August when blood donations are typically down at Blood Assurance and at blood centers nationwide. Several organizations throughout the two counties will host Blood Assurance blood drives, making it more convenient for the community to donate blood.

“During the summer months, people often forgo rolling up their sleeves to donate for summer plans,” Blood Assurance marketing and public relations director Linda Hisey said. “The month-long campaign helps to reinforce that blood donations are needed 365 days, regardless of the season.”

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PHOTO: August is Blood Assurance Month in Walker --- Walker County Commissioner Bebe Heiskell, center, signed a proclamation on Thursday, July 26, designating August as Blood Assurance Month in Walker. Blood Assurance representatives Doris White, public relations, and Leonard Fant, president and CEO, were on hand for the signing. Blood Assurance needs 400 units per day to meet the needs of hospitals in the region that it serves, which includes Walker. It expects to draw 102,500 units of blood this year. Blood Assurance serves Walker with a new center at 2720 LaFayette Road in Fort Oglethorpe, as well as through many mobile drives at local businesses, organizations and places of worship. For more information on Blood Assurance, visit its website at bloodassurance.org. (Messenger photo/Matt Ledger)

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During the summer as volunteer blood donations dip, the demand for blood components increases as trauma accidents rise on top of the every-day blood usage. Every blood donation makes a difference in saving patients’ lives throughout Blood Assurance’s service area.

“My challenge to the community is to consider that every unit of blood donated has the potential to save three lives,” Blood Assurance advisory board chairman Phil Erli said. “There is probably nothing an individual can do that is a more noble and honorable act than to save the life of another person. This is everyone’s opportunity to be a hero.”

To be eligible to donate blood, you must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and feel healthy. Whole blood donations generally take about 30 minutes and include a mini-physical, lifestyle questionnaire, actual blood donation and snack.

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The campaign, created in 2006 by Blood Assurance’s North Georgia Advisory Board, aims to increase blood donations within Walker and Catoosa during August when blood donations are typically down at Blood Assurance and at blood centers nationwide. Several organizations throughout the two counties will host Blood Assurance blood drives, making it more convenient for the community to donate blood. For more information about Blood Assurance, visit its website at bloodassurance.org

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“As a first-time blood donor in last year’s campaign, I can say with some authority that it did not hurt,” Erli said.

Blood donors can donate at one of the many community blood drives or at the Fort Oglethorpe Blood Assurance center, located at 2720 LaFayette Road. The center is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For a complete listing of New Blood in North Georgia blood drives, visit www.newblood.catt.com and for more information about Blood Assurance, please call (706) 861-5983 or visit bloodassurance.org.

The campaign brings to the forefront that the community is needed to help bolster the area’s blood supply to ensure that blood components are available for local hospitals, including Hutcheson Medical Center.

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