United Blood Services is asking blood donors to save lives leading into the Memorial Day holiday.    The M.A.S.H. Bash, or “Make a Survivor Happen” blood drive will end at 7pm today.

The M.A.S.H. Bash is going on at the Robicheaux Recreation Center, 1919 Eraste Landry Road in Lafayette. All donors receive a free "American Donor” T-shirt (while supplies last)!   The first 100 successful blood donors will receive a sheet of ride tickets to the Cajun Heartland State Fair!  A $22 value for FREE!     Hot dogs will be served for lunch and dinner! Successful donors will also be able to register to win Garth Brooks concert tickets!

To schedule an appointment to donate, visit www.bloodhero.com  or call 337-235-LIFE (5433).

Help ensure that patients in South Louisiana hospitals have the life-saving blood they need during the Memorial Day holiday.   “We look forward to “making a survivor happen” together with the community” said Mitzi Breaux, Marketing and Communications Manager with United Blood Services.  “Around the Memorial Day holiday, blood donations decline drastically due to family gatherings and people leaving town for their first summer vacation.  However, due to travel and outdoor activities, blood usage increases during the holiday.  Please donate on May 23 and help ensure that our community has the blood that is needed.”

As always, all blood types are needed in order to prevent any blood type shortages from occurring.  However, United Blood Services is experiencing an increased need for type O negative and O positive red cells and type AB plasma donations.   Type O negative blood is the only type that can safely be given to patients of all blood types. Type O positive blood can be transfused to anyone with a positive blood type.  Type AB is the universal donor for plasma, just as O negative is for red cells. We’ve seen the need for AB plasma grow as more hospitals expand their trauma care.

Donors can also visit www.UnitedBloodServices.org the day of their donation and click on the “Health History Questionnaire”.  This allows donors to complete the interview portion of their donation on-line, in the privacy of their home or office.  Make sure to print your “Fast track donation ticket” and bring it with you to your donation.  The questionnaire must be completed on the same day that you donate.

Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Additional height/weight requirements apply to donors 22 and younger, and donors who are 16 years of age must have signed permission from a parent or guardian.  Donors receive a free cholesterol test. Donors also earn points in our “Hero in Me” online rewards store.  Points can be redeemed for movie tickets, pizza, shopping cards and more at www.bloodhero.com.  A photo ID is required to donate.

For more information, call 877-UBS-HERO (877-827-4376).

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