Donors asked to give immediately

Blood donors are urgently being sought as the blood supply for the southern region of the American Red Cross has dropped below a 24-hour supply, with type O positive dipping to a six-hour supply Monday evening.

The next blood drive in Fayette is Sunday, July 28 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church. Following that is a blood drive at the Gathering Place recreation center in Peachtree City Friday, Aug. 1 from 9:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m; and Monday, Aug. 4 from 2:30-7:30 p.m. at Christ Our Shepherd Lutheran Church in Peachtree City.

Donors may also give blood at the Stockbridge blood center, located at 675 Southcrest Parkway, #120 Stockbridge, GA 30281; it’s open Wednesdays from noon to 7 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Another option is at the East Point blood center, located at 3645 Marketplace Boulevard #180 East Point, GA 30344; it’s open Tuesdays through Thursdays from noon to 7 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Patients in local hospitals, including those battling cancer or have just had an organ transplant, children with sickle cell anemia, cardiac patients and others who have undergone lifesaving surgeries, depend on blood donations from generous donors for survival.

Most people who are age 17 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds are eligible to give blood every 56 days. There is no substitute for blood and the only source is from volunteer donors.