As Tropical Storm Gordon has its sights set on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, Mississippi Blood Services needs your help.
With potentially life-threatening conditions, the organization has issued a call for all blood types and platelets as they deal with a “critical shortage”. MBS said that the storm will likely take a toll on their already depleted supply.
“With the pending storm, we are urging all donors to make donating blood part of their emergency preparedness plan,” MBS said.
The blood supply has been low for months, and Marketing & Communications Manager for MBS Emily Austin has continued to state that they need to be able to have blood ready to go at a moment’s notice.
“The time to have the blood on the shelves is before a crisis,” Austin said. “When you donate it takes 24-48 hours to turn that unit around and have it available to go out to the hospitals. We need to keep the shelves stocked and keep the blood levels current in order for what may happen tomorrow.”
You can find your nearest donation center or mobile blood drive on the Mississippi Blood Services mobile app. For more information on blood donation, visit www.msblood.com/donate/.
Gordon is expected to hit the Gulf Coast later tonight with winds up to 70-80 mph.
Related: Hurricane safety tips ahead of Gordon landfall
