As part of the national Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC), Blood Assurance is on alert to potentially ship blood to the hospitals in and around Lewiston, Maine, the scene of a horrific mass shooting that claimed at least 18 lives and left at least 13 more injured.
“Our local blood supply has been feeling the effects of a critical blood shortage,” said Blood Assurance CEO, J.B. Gaskins. “We are grateful for donors who are hearing the devastating news and want to help people receive the blood they need by booking appointmentsto donate in the days ahead. Your donations will keep our national blood reserve stocked and ready to assist if called upon to support the needs of patients in Maine.”
BERC is composed of 35 community blood centers across the nation that have committed to collecting extra blood units on a rotating, “on call” schedule. Blood Assurance is one of the centers on call this week. The BERC Network has been called upon to provide blood five times since its inception in September 2021.
Donors can visit www.bloodassurance.org/schedule, call 800-962-0628, or text BAGIVE to 999777, to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are also accepted.
To be eligible to donate, you must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids and eat a hearty meal prior to donating.
