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LifeSouth Community Blood Centers is honoring Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October and encouraging the community to donate blood in support of those battling breast cancer and in honor of survivors. Donors will receive a limited-edition Breast Cancer Awareness Month T-shirt, while supplies last, and a $20 e-gift card as a thank you. 

Additionally, LifeSouth will contribute $10,000 to National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF), matching individual gifts made to the Foundation from October 8-14. The matching contribution will benefit breast cancer patients and also honor LifeSouth blood donors.

“We are honored to be giving back to the National Breast Cancer Foundation through these donations on behalf of our organization and blood donors,” said LifeSouth Community Blood Centers President and CEO Kimberly E. Kinsell. “The Foundation’s mission in helping educate women through early detection, education and support services is more important than ever, and we are proud to be able to support their efforts.” 

Transfusions of blood products are often needed during cancer treatment, making this timely collaboration as a community necessary. Approximately 30 percent of all blood transfusions in the U.S. go to cancer patients, who often need them to replace crucial elements of their blood that are damaged or lost during their treatment. Patients who undergo chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or who have a cancer that affects the blood often need blood transfusions. Thousands of lives are saved everyday thanks to blood donors.

“We are grateful to LifeSouth Community Blood Centers for their support of our mission during Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” said Brooke Adams, NBCF Sr. Director of Charitable Giving and Strategic Partnerships. “Their generous matching gift will help us further extend our funding for our life-saving programs and services to women across the country”.

LifeSouth invites the community to donate blood and give someone in need a chance at life. Cancer patients in local hospitals are counting on lifesaving blood donors in their community to ensure that blood is there when they need it. 

The emphasis is taking place at these donor centers: Montgomery (4139 Carmichael Rd), Prattville ( High Point Center Shopping Center) next to Belk, Dothan (1165 Commons Drive), Opelika (505 E. Thomason Circle) and Columbus(4519 Woodruff Rd).

A blood drive is also taking place locally on Oct. 15 at Walmart in Greenville.

Just a few of the major community hospitals LifeSouth supplies 100% include Baptist Medical Centers South and East, Jackson Hospital, East Alabama Medical Center, St. Francis-Emory Healthcare Columbus, Jack Hughston, Flowers Hospital, Southeast Health, plus many other rural area hospitals in Alabama and Georgia.

For additional information about donation or to find a blood drive near you, call LifeSouth toll-free at 888-795-2707, visit www.lifesouth.org or download the LifeSouth app. Appointments can also be made online. 

LifeSouth is a non-profit community blood bank serving more than 150 hospitals in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. LifeSouth is committed to meeting the blood supply needs of hospitals and their patients by providing the highest quality blood components and services. The LifeSouth team is dedicated to making sure the blood is there when a patient is in need. To learn more, visit LifeSouth.org of donatingblood.org.  

Recognized as one of the leading breast cancer organizations in the world, National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) is Helping Women Now® by providing early detection, education and support services to those affected by breast cancer. A recipient of Charity Navigator’s highest 4-star rating for 16 years, NBCF provides support through their National Mammography Program, Patient Navigation, breast health education, and patient support programs. For more information, please visit www.nationalbreastcancer.org.