Blood drive set in Harriman

Now through Labor Day, all blood donors to Medic Regional Blood Center will receive a coupon for a free chicken sandwich and a chance to win a pair of tickets good for any regular season Tennessee Smokies home baseball game.

“The summer is a difficult time for us,” said Christi Fightmaster, Medic spokeswoman.

Blood donations tend to decline during the summer months for many reasons, Fightmaster said.   

Some of the area’s  industrial plants get too warm during summer months to host drives and, in general, people are busy during the summer with children out of school and planning vacations.

“We see a real decline in donations right after Memorial Day, and that’s true for blood centers nationally,” Fightmaster said.  

Roane Countians can do their part for Medic during a blood drive on June 12 at Harriman KFC, 1527 S. Roane St.

The Medic mobile unit will be on site from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Donors are also welcome at 1601 Ailor Ave., Knoxville, or 11000 Kingston Pike, Farragut.

Donors must be 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds or more. With parental consent, 16-year-olds weighing 120 pounds or more may donate blood. Consent forms can be found at any blood drive or online at www.medicblood.org.

All donors must present identification.

Additional blood drive locations can be found at www.medicblood.org or by calling 524-3074.
Medic is the sole provider of blood products for 21 counties and 27 area hospitals, including Roane Medical Center in Harriman.