TEXARKANA - Blood donations are still needed more than ever as the number of donors has declined in recent months.
"When the pandemic first moved into our region, we saw a tremendous outpouring of support from our blood donors," says LifeShare Regional Director Elizabeth Cunningham. "Since then, we've seen a decline in the number of people giving blood while, at the same time, hospitals are beginning to address their backlog of elective procedures."
Community Healthcore and LifeShare teamed up Tuesday to celebrate Community Healthcore's 50th anniversary with a community blood drive at Community Healthcare's College Drive location.
All donors received LifeShare JAWESOME Shark T-shirts, snow cones, vouchers for a Sonic Corn Dog, and a DQ Blizzard, and entered in drawing for two entrees from NEWKS.
Tuesday's event was the first time a LifeShare blood drive had been held at that location but the turnout was good.
"A lot of people have come out to give blood today," Cunningham said. "They were eager to help do something good for the community."
Through July 31, LifeShare will also be offering free COVID-19 antibody testing for all blood donors. No Q-tips are used for antibody testing. The test can indicate whether someone has been exposed to COVID-19.
Kenneth Payne of Texarkana was giving blood Tuesday afternoon and said giving blood has become part of his routine.
"I try to give on a regular basis," he said.
Over the past several weeks, LifeShare has received countless inquiries about antibody testing for COVID-19, Cunningham said. LifeShare is now able to provide this service as a way to encourage people to donate blood.
Anybody donating blood will give a medical history and have a quick physical. Snacks will be provided after the donation.
After donating blood, the fluid is replaced within hours and the red blood cells within four weeks. It takes eight weeks to restore the iron lost after donating, according to LifeShare.
For more information, visit lifeshare.org or call 903-794-3174
Local LifeShare Blood Drives for the rest of July
-3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at Walmart in Atlanta, 201 U.S. Highway 59, Atlanta, Texas
-9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday at Christus Saint Michael's Rehab Hospital, 2400 Saint Michael Drive, Texarkana, Texas
-2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., Thursday, Christus St Michael Outpatient Rehab, 2223 Galleria Oaks, Texarkana, Texas
-2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Friday, Nashville Walmart, 1710 South Fourth St., Nashville, Arkansas
-1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, De Queen Walmart, 926 East Collin Raye Drive, De Queen, Arkansas
-11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Ashdown Walmart, 297 Highway 32 Bypass, Ashdown, Arkansas
-10 a.m. to 4 p.m., July 19, New Boston Walmart, 800 James Bowie Drive, New Boston, Texas
-11 a.m. to 5 p.m., July 22, Howard Memorial Hospital, 130 Medical Circle, Nashville, Arkansas
-12 p.m. to 6 p.m., July 24, Walmart ,4000 New Boston Road, Texarkana, Texas
-1 p.m. to 6 p.m., July 25, Central Mall, 2400 Richmond Road, Texarkana, Texas
-10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., July 25, Super One, 2610 Richmond Road, Texarkana, Texas
-3:30 p.m. to 6:15 p.m., July 25, Tacos 4 Life, 3005 Mall Drive, Texarkana, Texas
-2 p.m. to 6 p.m., July 26, Walmart, 133 Arkansas Blvd., Texarkana, Arkansas
-2:30 p.m. to 5:45 p.m., July 26, Sams Club, 3610 St. Michael Drive, Texarkana, Texas
-3 p.m. to 7 p.m., July 27, Walmart, 400 New Boston Road, Texarkana, Texas
9 a.m. to 1 p.m., July 28, Wadley Regional Medical Hope, 2001 S. Main St., Hope, Arkansas