REX Blood Services Issues Urgent Call for Donors Amid Regional Shortage

Most blood types are needed; special drive scheduled for UNC REX Hospital on Weds.

REX Blood Services urgently needs donors for all blood types, especially O-negative, O-positive, A-positive and B-positive. The REX Bloodmobile will hold a special blood drive on Wed., Jan. 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., outside of UNC REX Hospital in Raleigh, to collect blood from co-workers and visitors.

The recent winter weather forced the cancellation of blood drives at schools and businesses that were scheduled to restock the blood supply in early January. The snow and ice came at an especially bad time of year, as the holidays, flu and other seasonal illness, and other factors traditionally curtail donations.

REX Blood Services supplies blood to UNC REX Hospital, as well as other area hospitals. Recipients include patients undergoing cancer treatment, surgery patients, accident victims and others.

“We are working hard to bring in regular donors who have postponed giving blood in recent weeks, and to recruit new donors who want to provide the gift of life,” said Emilie Sanders Watson, a donor recruitment coordinator with REX Blood Services. “While we are confident that our community will step up, we don’t want the situation to get worse.”

The REX Bloodmobile will park in front of UNC REX Hospital (4420 Lake Boone Trail, Raleigh), outside the entrance marked “Patient Tower,” on Wednesday, Jan. 18, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., to collect donations from co-workers and visitors. In addition, other donors can visit the REX Donor Center, 2709 Blue Ridge Road, Suite 150, Raleigh (on Weds., the hours will be 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.), or visit an upcoming REX Bloodmobile stop.

To make an appointment to donate blood or find a REX Bloodmobile location, call (919) 784-4750.

Follow REX Blood Services on Facebook to keep connected with donation events: Facebook.com/rexblood.