Ernest Deroche Sr.
December 16, 2008
Whitney Nicole "Black" Jones
December 18, 2008
Local health officials are asking residents to donate blood to help with the shortage that typically occurs this time of year.
Many regular blood donors bypass giving because the holiday season consumes much of their time or they become sick.
Whatever the case, healthy residents are asked to donate blood as a Christmas gift in honor of a friend or loved one, past or present.
Health officials say that one donation can save up to three lives.
“The holidays are a time of celebration, remembrance and joy but, for some, it is also a time of need,” said Ken Detiveaux, director of the Ochsner Healthcare Blood Bank. “Donating blood is a free gift that costs only time, which is about an hour.”
Typically, Tri-parish area hospitals run below normal during the holidays. Demand for blood for medical procedures like surgery and transfusions, however, often increases.
At Ochsner St. Anne General Hospital in Raceland, blood donations tend to be 10 to 20 percent below normal, but the need for blood rises as much as 10 percent, according to Detiveaux.
Trudy Steib, supervisor of Terrebonne General Medical Center’s Blood Lab, said TGMC has an adequate supply of blood on hand.
However, that can change depending on the medical procedures being performed.
“Hospitals still have surgeries and many patients still need blood transfusions during the holidays,” Steib said. “We just want to let people be aware that blood inventory is on the low side.”
To give blood, donors must be at least age 17 or older, be in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds.
Health care officials also said residents who are taking prescribed medications to control diabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol are still eligible to donate blood.
Residents closest to Ochsner St. Anne can donate blood at the hospital’s blood center, 4608 Highway 1, on Tuesdays from 3 to 7 p.m.
Our Lady of the Sea Hospital, 200 W. 134th St. in Cut Off, takes blood donations on Wednesdays from 2 to 7 p.m.
Terrebonne residents can donate at TGMC’s blood center Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. On Tuesdays, the center is open until 5:30 p.m. TGMC’s blood center is located on Belanger Street in the annex building behind the hospital. It is situated across from the parking garage.
Thibodaux residents can donate at United Blood Services, 2000 Audubon Ave., on Mondays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., and on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
With area blood supplies running low, health officials are asking residents to donate this holiday. Above, Terrebonne General Medical Center phlebotomist Pamela Spearman draws blood from Sandee Ellender, an outpatient services nurse. * Photo by SOPHIA RUFFIN
