Demand for blood rises as more of Northeast Florida returns to a sense of normalcy

As more of Northeast Florida gets back to a sense of normalcy, there is a renewed push by Lifesouth Community Blood Centers to help replenish the blood supply. The blood center says a combination of canceled blood drives and elective surgeries resuming, and other demands a hospital sees on a daily basis, have resulted in a low community blood supply.

Karen Patterson with Lifesouth says most of their blood donations come from students and since schools and universities have been closed for months now they have lost access to those people donating.

“The blood needs to be there on the shelf when something happens to save lives.” Patterson says.

She says blood drives have also been canceled and that’s put a dent into their blood supply.

We’re told they’re in need of all blood types, but they are in critical need of donors with types O and B blood.

If you'd like to help out you can check out Lifesouth.org for more information.