LSU Athletics Hosts Blood Drive Helps to Save Lives in Louisiana
With a dire need for blood donations in the Baton Rouge area, LSU Athletics, in conjunction with Our Lady of the Lake Blood Donor Center, held a blood drive on Tuesday, February 23 outside of Tiger Stadium.
LSU’s blood drive yielded 22 units of packed red blood cells and 22 units of plasma which ultimately will effect close to 50 lives. According to givingblood.org, one pint of blood can save up to three lives.
“The generosity of the employees in the LSU Athletic Department helped to make a difference in our community,” Senior Associate Athletic Director Shelly Mullenix said. “Covid-19 restrictions and recent frigid temperatures resulted in a number of cancelled blood drives around the state. This has left our blood supply vulnerable. Having a adequate supply of blood products allows our hospitals to affectively treat life-threatening injuries and provide blood for life-saving medical treatments. When there’s a need for blood donations, it’s comforting to know that our LSU Athletic family steps up when asked to help our community.”
Mullenix said Tuesday’s blood drive is the first of what will be several hosted by the department in the coming months.
Andy Barker from LSU Athletic Training said, “I was happy to give. Luckily, I can make more!”
“The need for blood donors is critical and we want to continue to do our part to help the Baton Rouge community in any way we can. We hope our participation in this blood drive will encourage others to donate.”
For more information on how to donate blood in the Baton Rouge area, those interested can contact the following blood donor centers in the Our Lady of the Lake Hospital system:
Our Lady of the Lake Blood Donor Center
The Our Lady of the Lake Blood Donor Center is located on the first floor of the hospital near Elevator D. Free parking is available for all donors on the day of donation in Garage 2. No appointment is needed, and walk-in donors are welcome.
Contact: (225) 765-8843
Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Associate Athletic Director John Daniel said, “I was very excited to take part in the department-sponsored blood drive. It was such an easy way to give back to our community in need. I was surprised to see that the blood I donated wasn’t purple or gold. Maybe next time!”
Our Lady of the Lake Ascension Blood Donor Center
The Our Lady of the Lake Ascension Blood Donor Center is located in Medical Plaza II at 1404 West Clare Blvd. in Gonzales, LA. No appointment is needed, and walk-in donors are welcome.
Contact: (225) 743-2405
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Our Lady of Lourdes Blood Donor Center
The Our Lady of Lourdes Blood Donor Center is located in the medical office building (in front of Our Lady of Lourdes) at 4809 Ambassador Caffery Parkway, Suite 360 in Lafayette, LA. No appointment is needed, and walk-in donors are welcome.
Contact: (337) 470-4483
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Did You Knows About Blood Donation…
* More than 60 percent of the blood transfused in the entire local community is recruited, collected, tested and distributed by Our Lady of the Lake.
* One pint of whole blood can be separated into several components (red blood cells, white blood cells, plasma, platelets and cryoprecipitate), and a single, whole blood donation can save the lives of three people.
* Blood donors do more than give blood; they play a key role in the healthcare process, giving the doctors and nurses in our area a tool that helps save lives.