Due to flooding in Louisiana, United Blood Services is calling on neighboring area residents to help with blood needs.

Mobile blood drive cancellations and donor center closures throughout Louisiana have resulted in over 350 lost blood products during the flood, said Mitzi Breaux, the agency’s marketing and communications manager.

“The flooding has been devastating, closing blood centers in Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and Morgan City,” Breaux said. “The Lafayette center opened Monday for the first time, Morgan City opened on Tuesday, and the Baton Rouge center is closed until further notice.

Blood drives scheduled through the end of the week have canceled, Breaux said.

“At this point the number of blood products we have lost is growing by the hour, it’s unbelievable actually,” Breaux said. “That number is continuing to grow because our Baton Rouge center is not opening and our mobile blood drives are continuing to cancel.

“We may draw 30 pints of blood a day if we are lucky.”

Reaching out to sister centers is the only way to supply patients, Breaux said.

“We are asking people that are eligible or have never donated before to please step up and donate,” Breaux said. “Of course, the needs of the Mississippi patients will be met first, and whatever is left over to send to us will then be sent to Louisiana.

Shannon Chatham, Meridian’s area United Blood Services recruitment representative, said donating blood now is important for many reasons.

“It’s more imperative than ever right now we try to meet our original expectations, of course, but then try to exceed them as well to compensate for Louisiana not being able to host any blood drives,” Chatham said. “If you have time to donate, or interested in having a blood drive please call us.”

Breaux, a resident of Lafayette, said people are trying to put their lives back together.

“There are so many homes that are ruined or completely lost,” Breaux said. “I was trapped in my home for nearly two days. The water at the front of my neighborhood and down the main highway was waist deep, we couldn’t get out. People have started pulling up flooring, and tearing out sheetrock, trying to save their homes if they can.

“It’s going to take awhile for people in all of South Louisiana to start donating blood again because they are in a tragedy.”

How to donate

Donors can donate at these area locations:

• Wal-Mart Highway 19 North, Thursday, Aug. 18, 2-6 p.m.

• Avery Products Corp. Highway 45 North, Tuesday, Aug. 23, 12-4 p.m.

• Meridian Community College, Monday, Aug. 29 and Tuesday, Aug. 30, 9:30 a.m.- 3 p.m.

• Rush Hospital, Specialty Hospital Classroom, Aug. 30, 11:30 a.m.- 3 p.m.

Those who wish to donate may call 877-UBS-HERO (877-827-4376) or visit www.bloodhero.com to make an appointment to give.

All donors receive a “Be the Game Changer” football themed T-shirt and are entered to win a dream vacation valued at up to $6,000.

Blood donation takes about an hour from check-in to refreshments. Donors can save about 20 minutes by completing their Fast Track Health History the day they donate at www.UnitedBloodServices.org.

Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16 years old, weight at least 110 pound and in good health. Additional height/weight requirements apply to donors 22 and younger, and donors who are 16 and 17 must have signed permission from a parent or guardian.

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