Chattanooga Mayor and Blood Assurance call on the community to donate blood

Give the gift of life for National Volunteer Month

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- In honor of National Volunteer Month, Blood Assurance and Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly are calling on residents to donate the ‘gift of life.’

Since 1991, the month of April has been dedicated to honoring all volunteers throughout the United States, celebrating all kinds of volunteers, even ones that donate blood.

Blood Assurance is the sole supplier of blood and blood products to multiple medical facilities in Chattanooga, including CHI Memorial Hospital, Erlanger Hospital, and Parkridge Medical Center. There are three donation centers in Hamilton County alone.

In a video, Mayor Kelly discusses the health benefits donating blood can offer. Regular blood donations are linked to lower blood pressure, risk for a heart attack and even blood clots.  Each time you visit, you will also receive a free health screening.

To qualify to meet donation standards, you must be at least 17 years old (16 years old with parental consent), weigh 110 pounds or more and be in good health. Donors are asked to drink plenty of fluids — avoiding caffeine — and eat a meal that is rich in iron prior to donating.

All individuals who donate from April 1-30, will receive a commemorate Super Donor t-shirt.

To watch Mayor Kelly’s video you can click here.

For more information you can visit their website here.