MRBC offers incentives to help with blood donation

Medic Regional Blood Center has issued a critical need for all blood types, including O-negative, the universal blood type. Lower than average collections are to blame for the shortage and the community blood center is asking all eligible donors to give blood as soon as possible.

“We try to make it easy and convenient with several community drives and our two donors’ centers,” said Medic Director of Public Relations Christi Fightmaster.

Donors can often find Medic’s bloodmobiles at area retail and grocery chains so donors do not have to make special trips to blood drives in order to donate blood.

To sweeten the pot, for a limited time donors will be offered a buy one, get one free dinner voucher for Ruby Tuesday’s (a $10 value).

Donors can receive their voucher at one of Medic’s community drives through March 17 or at one of the two permanent door centers: 1061 Ailor Ave. in Knoxville or 11000 Kingston Pike in Farragut.

Community drives are planned for:

• 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, March 8 at Laughlin Memorial Hospital in Greeneville.

• 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday, March 11 at Walgreen’s, 251 S. Cumberland St., Morristown.

• 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday, March 11 at Lowe’s in Newport.

• 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday, March 11 at Food Country in Mosheim.

• 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday, March 12 at Coca-Cola Bottling Company in Morristown.

• Noon to 2 p.m., Tuesday, March 12 at LifeCare Center of Greeneville.

• 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Thursday, March 14 at West Greene High School in Greeneville.

• 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Saturday, March 16 at Hal Henard Elementary School in Greeneville.

Donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds or more and have positive identification.

Medic depends on volunteer donors to help meet the needs of 27 area hospitals throughout greater East Tennessee, including hospitals in the Lakeway Area.

For more information, call 865-524-3074.

Posted on Saturday, March 2, 2013 at 6:37 pm