Give more than candy

Sevier County Blood Drives— October 26 & 27 MEDIC Regional Blood Center would like to encourage you to give someone a ‘ghost’ of a chance by giving blood the week of October 24. All transfused blood must come from volunteer donors—giving blood literally is giving someone a second chance at life. Currently, MEDIC states a need for all types of blood. Please show your community and volunteer spirit by donating blood at either the donor center located at 1601 Ailor Avenue or visit your local blood drive. The community schedule is as follows: • October 26, Murphy’s Chapel, Pittman Center Road, 2:00pm – 8:00pm, MEDIC Mobile. • October 27, Gatlinburg First Baptist Church, 111 Oglewood Lane, 10:00am – 6:00pm, Fellowship Hall. MEDIC must collect 350 pints of blood each day in order to meet hospital demand. All donors must be at least 17 years of age, weigh more than 110 pounds and have positive identification. Everyone who gives blood will receive a free t-shirt and cholesterol screening (no fasting required). MEDIC is the sole blood product supplier for 21 counties and 28 area hospitals. The Food and Drug Administration regularly changes eligibility requirements, so please do not assume you are not eligible to give blood and call MEDIC if you have questions. MEDIC was established in 1958 by Carl Nelson, MD, under the sponsorship of the Knoxville Academy of Medicine. Area physicians supported the independent, not-for-profit blood center because they wanted a source of blood from volunteer donors, and they desired centralization of blood collection, testing and distribution. MEDIC’s operational and capital costs are financed by blood supplier processing fees charged to hospitals.