After last Friday’s declaration of an emergency blood shortage, donors’ response to the news across Alabama, Georgia and Florida has been encouraging; however, the blood inventory continues to hover at emergency levels.

“The shortage is based on a combination of the widespread flu outbreak, bad weather across Georgia and Alabama and a spike in usage from our local hospitals,” said LifeSouth’s Vice President of Operations J.B. Bowles.

“While we have seen more donors in the past few days, it’s going to take many more to overcome this current shortage,” added Bowles.

Bowles said all blood types are needed, but blood types AB-positive and negative, A- and O-negative are in shortest supply. LifeSouth urges all eligible donors who are feeling healthy to come out and support their communities by donating blood as soon as possible. Donors must be 17 or older, or 16 with parental permission, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. A photo ID is also required.

For information about donating, donors can call LifeSouth toll-free at 888-795-2707 or go to www.lifesouth.org.