Blood donors needed in Texarkana area

Blood supplies in the Texarkana area are running critically low and LifeShare Blood Centers have issued an urgent call for donors.

LifeShare is asking all eligible donors to step up, especially those with type "O" and type "B" blood.

Donor recruiters say the shelves are low because of the holidays and blood is needed as soon as possible.

"It takes one hour, every 56 days to save 3 peoples lives, said Karen Siefert, LifeShare Donor Recruiter.

Potential donors must be 16 years of age or older, meet height and weight requirements, and feel healthy at the time of donating.

LifeShare Blood Center has the following blood drives coming up in January.

1:30 p.m to 6p.m. Friday at Rush Truck Center, 1931 North Kings Highway, Nash, Texas. All donors will receive a T-shirt or points to the online store.

8 a.m to 3 p.m. Jan. 9 at Fouke High School, 403 Panther Drive, Fouke, Ark. All donors will receive a T-shirt or points to the online store.

8:30 a.m to 2:30 p.m. Jan. 21 at James Bowie High School, 47 James Bowie Drive, Simms, Texas. All donors will receive a T-shirt or points to the online store.

9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Jan. 23 & 24 at Texas High School, 4001 Summerhill Road, Texarkana, Texas. All donors will receive a T-shirt or points to the online store.

8 a.m to 3 p.m. Jan. 29 at Liberty-Eylau High School, 2905 Leopard Drive, Texarkana, Texas. All donors will receive a T-shirt or points to the online store.

LifeShare will also have an ongoing blood drive throughout the month at its center, 1321 College Drive, Texarkana, Texas.

Donors will receive a free pass to a local gym.

LifeShare Blood Center hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.

To sign up, call LifeShare Blood Centers at 903-794-3173.