United Blood Services, the area’s non-profit community blood supplier, is looking for donations of blood, platelets and plasma as the holidays approach.

Heather Knight, United Blood Services (UBS) spokesperson, said the organization especially needs platelets, which expire every five days, and O Negative-type blood, often called the “universal donor.”

“O negative stock is low right now,” Knight said. “We’re short about 80 units of O Negative blood region wide. O Negative blood is the universal donor, which means any blood type can accept this type of blood. When a patient is bleeding out and needs blood on the spot, many times O Negative is pulled from the shelves and transfused into the patient.”

Knight said there is a blood shortage nationwide around the holidays because many are out shopping, cooking or spending time with family.

“They don’t come to the center to donate,” she said. “Sadly, it’s just a holiday tradition. That’s why we’re always trying to shore up the blood supplies for the holidays.”

To encourage donations, United Blood Services is offering a number of promotions. The “Hunting for Donors” initiative, which will be offered through the end of November, gives donors the chance to win a three day, all-inclusive hunting trip to Bent Creek Lodge in West Alabama and a three-day guided spring turkey hunt at the Good Ole Boys Hunters Association in Red Lick, Miss.

During Thanksgiving week (Nov. 23-29), UBS is teaming with country music superstar Martina McBride to “SHINE” on donors who give during the holiday season. Donors giving during the week will receive a special edition customized apron autographed by Martina McBride with a personal message of gratitude, as well as two of her favorite family recipes.

“I can not think of a better way to start the holiday season than by giving the gift of life,” Knight said. “The day after Thanksgiving is the busiest shopping day of the year. People don’t want to come out and donate because it’s a holiday for a lot of folks, but we need those platelet donors to come in Friday, Saturday and Sunday. It’s really important.”

Knight said UBS operates mobile blood drives and in-center locations seven days a week to make it easy for donors to give blood especially during the busy holiday season.

“We want people to remember there are patients in the hospital needing blood, platelet or plasma transfusions everyday,” she said. “We need donors to give to help meet these needs. Illnesses, accidents, diseases don’t take a holiday and neither can blood donations.”

Knight said United Blood Services is also focusing its efforts to better meet the area’s needs.

“We are dedicated to being good stewards of the community blood program and that calls for working with our donors based on type and specific patients needs each day,” she said. “We communicate with our hospitals and donor groups every day to efficiently manage the blood supply based on the current needs. We welcome donors of all blood types. Please be aware that we may ask you to make a platelet or plasma donation based on blood type.

Knight added, “We want to assure donors their donations are making a difference in the community. By collecting specific blood products based on current inventory levels and needs, we can make sure a donation is used to help save a life. For instance, we know we need O Negative red blood cell donors now because our inventory levels are low and we are coming into the holidays when people just don’t come out and donate. We also know we have a patient in one of our hospitals undergoing a plasma transfusion and plasma donations are in high need. Also, with platelets having such a short shelf life, the need for platelets in ongoing.”

To schedule an appointment, visit bloodhero.com or call 601-264-0743. United Blood Services is located at 805 S. 28th Ave. in Hattiesburg and is open Monday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Tuesday noon to 7 p.m.; Wednesday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Thursday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m. to noon (platelet/ plasma donors by appt. only) and Sunday 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

UBS will also be hosting its twice monthly blood drive at the Cameron Center in Laurel from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday.

United Blood Services has been this area’s non-profit community blood provider since the 1950s and serves patients in 67 hospitals in Mississippi and West Alabama. The United Blood Services network is one of the nation’s oldest and largest non-profit blood service organizations, and is a founding member of America’s Blood Centers and the AABB.

Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Additional height/weight requirements apply to donors 22 and younger, and donors who are 16 must have signed permission from a parent or guardian. Donors receive a free cholesterol test.