News
Plant Explosion Near Baton Rouge Imposes Increased Need for Blood Donations
UDPATE June 14, 2013, 10:30a.m.- By moving blood components from other LifeShare locations, the Baton Rouge LifeShare center now has temporarily replenished the supply available to the hospitals. We are continuing to carefully monitor the supply and work with Baton Rouge General’s blood bank to fulfill their ongoing needs. The LifeShare supply is currently low in O negative and O positive blood, but otherwise stable at the moment. We do expect hospitals to request more blood today. In the coming days, patients will continue to use blood components; this expectation includes significant usage by at least three burn victims of the plant explosion near Geismar.
The Shreveport Police Department, Shreveport Fire Department, Office of the Shreveport City Marshal, and Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Dept. Host Cuffs & Hoses Blood Drives
June 12, 2013- Today the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Dept., Shreveport Fire Dept., Office of the Shreveport City Marshal, and the Shreveport Police Dept., came together to kick off the Cuffs & Hoses Blood Drives to be held through Saturday, June 15 at these local organizations’ facilities. The blood drives are being held in honor of Lauren Fogger Tigges, a recovering car accident victim. All drives are open to the public, and participating blood donors will receive a limited edition Cuffs & Hoses t-shirt, while supplies last.
Blood Drives to Promote HHT Awareness In June
(Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia)
June 2013—Many people let a nosebleed go unnoticed, but for many it is an indication of a life-threatening disease. Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia or HHT is a genetic disorder that causes abnormalities of blood vessels. Most blood vessels in the body of someone with HHT are normal. However, a small percentage of the blood vessels in a person with HHT have a specific type of abnormality.
North Louisiana Residents Called to Contribute to Historic Cancer Research Effort
Community Involvement Can Answer Critical Questions about Cancer Causes & Prevention
Shreveport, Louisiana, May 2, 2013- Residents of Shreveport-Bossier have a special opportunity to participate in a historic study that has the potential to change the face of cancer for future generations. The American Cancer Society’s Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3) will give scientists a better understanding of cancer causes and prevention. The Society is looking for local men and women between the ages of 30 and 65 from various racial/ethnic backgrounds with no personal history of cancer to help reach full enrollment of at least 300,000 people.
Blood Donations Needed
April 18, 2013 – The blood supply takes constant monitoring and replenishing, and blood resource sharing among geographical areas elevates during times of tragedy. Because blood donors gave in advance both in these areas directly affected and those surrounding it, the blood needs of the West, Texas victims are currently being met. As these victims undergo surgery, blood must continue to be provided for those victims as well as the typical medical needs that require blood components.
O Negative Blood Donors Needed Following Disasters
April 16, 2013 – In light of the tragedy in Boston, the nation’s blood supply has experienced high usage and requires additional donations. LifeShare Blood Centers is asking the community to give blood so that blood needs are met, both locally and nationally during this critical time.
Significant Increase in Blood Donations Needed Today to Stabilize Blood Supply
January 10, 2013-- The area’s blood supply continues to be in a critical situation. A recent decrease in blood donors, particularly during the holidays and since the first of the year, has the local blood inventory at a minimum. 1000 donations are needed between today and tomorrow to stabilize the blood supply, a life-saving resource with no substitute.
January Honors Those Who Give The Gift of Life
LifeShare Blood Centers reminds citizens to make their New Year’s Resolution matter during National Blood Donor Month.
Shreveport, La., January 2, 2013 —One in three people will need blood at some time in their life. Where does it come from? Volunteer blood donors. Our country’s blood supply depends on blood donors to make this resource available to those in need. Whether it comes from an unexpected event such as an accident or a carefully planned surgery, many medical needs are dependent on blood donors giving in advance.
Making Donations Count at the Food Bank
Shreveport, Bossier City, Monroe, Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, La., Beaumont, Texarkana, Tx., and El Dorado, Ark., Nov. 27, 2012 —When LifeShare Blood Centers heard that the Harvest Food Bank in Texarkana, Ark. was concerned about their supply lasting through the holidays, they decided to make the blood donors’ life-saving good deeds go a little further—not just in Texarkana but for the 70 parishes and counties with 3.7 million people that LifeShare serves. For every blood donation LifeShare Blood Centers collects on Saturday, Dec. 8 and Sunday, Dec. 9 it will donate a food item to the local area food bank.
North Louisiana Teenager Holds Marrow Registry Drives While Battling Cancer
Monroe and Shreveport/Bossier La., Nov. 21, 2012--In an effort to find a match for 14-year-old Jamaya Johnson of Bossier City, La., two community-wide marrow registry drives will be held in North Louisiana this Thanksgiving weekend. The first will be held on Friday, Nov. 23 from 11:30a.m. - 3:00p.m. at Rose of Sharon Baptist Church, 720 Adams Rd., Monroe, La. The other drive will be on Saturday, Nov. 24 in Bossier City, La. at Rusheon Middle School's gym from 11a.m. - 2p.m., 2401 Old Minden Rd. Anyone ages 18 to 44 in good health are encouraged to sign up on the registry. African-Americans are strongly encouraged to register because the race is currently under-represented on the registry --less than 10 percent of nearly 10 million registrants. Patients are most likely to find a match within their own ethnicity.
Area Foundations Grant Support to Protect Rare Blood Cell Collection
Shreveport, La., November 19, 2012 — BlueCross BlueShield Foundation, Scott Foundation, Union Pacific Foundation, and Weyerhaeuser Foundation were recognized today by LifeShare Blood Centers for major contributions to protect and preserve one of the world’s largest collections of rare red blood cell samples. LifeShare Blood Centers is the steward of the rare collection that it uses in blood compatibility testing for hospitals and blood centers worldwide.
Blood Donation is a Necessary Preparation for Isaac
Shreveport, La., August 27, 2012 —Anyone eligible to give blood is encouraged to donate as soon as possible in preparation for the impact of Tropical Storm Isaac. After the storm makes landfall, the ability to donate and collect blood becomes much more difficult and typically results in a significant drop in donations. The difficulty is due to such factors as donor availability, transportation issues, and damage and flooding to blood centers and nearby areas. Because of this, donations must increase now to continue an adequate blood supply during and after the storm.
HHT: More Than A Nosebleed
Shreveport, La., June 18, 2012 — A nosebleed may often be overlooked, but for some it should be a warning sign. June is Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) Awareness Month. Symptoms may be silent or range from frequent nosebleeds to gastrointestinal bleeding, lung and brain hemorrhages. Aterio-venous malformations (AVMs) in the lungs, brain and liver also occur in a significant percentage of persons with HHT and can be life-threatening or disabling.
HHT Awareness Baton Rouge Area Blood Drives
BATON ROUGE AREA BLOOD DRIVES HELD FOR JUNE HHT AWARENESS MONTH
Baton Rouge, La., May 29, 2012—A nosebleed may often be overlooked, but for some it should be a warning sign. June is Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) Awareness Month. Symptoms may be silent or range from frequent nosebleeds to gastrointestinal bleeding, lung and brain hemorrhages. Aterio-venous malformations (AVMs) in the lungs, brain and liver also occur in a significant percentage of persons with HHT and can be life-threatening or disabling.
Lake Charles Area Drives for HHT Awareness
Lake Charles, Louisiana, May 22, 2012 – Most of us do not think about blood very often, much less donating blood. But for one family here in Southwest Louisiana it is a matter of life and death every day. Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia or HHT is a genetic disorder that causes abnormalities of blood vessels. Most blood vessels in the body of someone with HHT are normal. However, a small percentage of the blood vessels in a person with HHT have a specific type of abnormality.
10th Annual Miracle Match for Life
Beaumont, Texas, April 23, 2012 – Through the generous support of Southeast Texans over the past decade, the 10th Annual Miracle Match for Life Golf Tournament has reached a major milestone of $1,000,000 raised to benefit the Gulf Coast Marrow Donor Program, LifeShare Blood Centers and the Julie Rogers “Gift of Life” Program.
Chesapeake Energy Donates Laptops to LifeShare Blood Centers
Shreveport, Louisiana, April 4, 2012 – Chesapeake Energy Corporation (NYSE:CHK) today brought an early Easter basket to LifeShare Blood Centers with the donation of five new Dell laptop computers.
LifeShare Blood Centers Honors First 100-Gallon Donor
Shreveport, La., March 29, 2012—Don Bryant of Shreveport, La. was honored today with a proclamation from the City of Shreveport Mayor’s Office and LifeShare Blood Centers. Bryant has become LifeShare’s first 100-gallon donor. In recognition of this achievement, the City of Shreveport Mayor’s Office has named March 29, 2012 “Don Bryant Day.”
Local Blood Recipient is the Focus of Regional New Billboard Campaign
Shreveport, La., March 27, 2012—Dylan Yowell, 13-year old from El Dorado, Ark., and his mother Jackie Fuller are the focus of the newest billboard campaign by LifeShare Blood Centers. A real-life patient story, Dylan was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia one year ago resulting in intense treatment that includes blood products. The billboards display a candid photo of Dylan and his mother with the caption, “Change A Future.” Dylan is currently in maintenance chemotherapy.
30-Year LifeShare Employee Inducted into Nationwide Donation Hall of Fame
Shreveport, La., March 16, 2012—Debbie Colvin, RN, ASCP, who is celebrating her 30th year with LifeShare Blood Centers this month, has been inducted into the Donation Hall of Fame sponsored by Fenwal, Inc. The Donation Hall of Fame recognizes individuals nationwide who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to blood donation.
