ABI blood drives in the Village

Hot Springs Village community members can feel good with their Arkansas Blood Institute (ABI) blood drives scheduled for:

Tuesday, September 27
• 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hot Springs Village Coronado Center, 150 Ponderosa Lane

Thursday, September 29
• 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Hot Springs Village POA, Ponce Center Room A, 1101 DeSoto Boulevard

Donors will not only be saving up to three lives with each donation, they’ll also receive a T-shirt, health screenings and Donor Rewards points, redeemable for items in ABI’s online store.

“Patients have needs 365-days-a-year,” said Dr. John Armitage, ABI president and CEO. “We are grateful to our donors and Hot Springs Village Coronado Center for encouraging blood donation this fall.”

Because there is no substitute for blood, the supply must constantly be renewed.
Although all blood types are needed, those with O-negative type blood are especially encouraged to donate. According to the American Association of Blood Banks, those with O-negative blood type make up only nine percent of the national population. However, O-negative blood can be used by anyone in an emergency situation when a patient’s blood type has not yet been identified.

Arkansas Blood Institute provides every drop of blood needed by patients in 17 hospitals in western Arkansas and eastern Oklahoma thanks to its volunteer donors. Since 1958, those needing blood in the area have counted on mobile blood drives and donor centers in Fort Smith and Hot Springs to ensure there is an adequate blood supply. In October, it became an affiliate of Oklahoma Blood Institute after previously partnering with United Blood Services. Oklahoma Blood Institute is the ninth largest, independent nonprofit blood center in the nation. Arkansas Blood Institute was formed at this time to reflect the local commitment to providing for people in the region.

For more information or to make an appointment, contact Arkansas Blood Institute at 877-340-8777 or visit us at www.arkbi.org.