By Allen Brewer

news@oxfordeagle.com

One of the last things people thing about as they enjoy graduation ceremonies and start summer travel is the fact there is always a need to donate blood.

With that in mind, the Oxford-Lafayette Chamber of Commerce and Mississippi Blood Services will have a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 24 at the Chamber at 299 West Jackson Ave. An MBS donor coach will accept donations of blood to help people in the community as well as those in need of blood statewide.

Founded in 1979, MBS is the only nonprofit blood center headquartered in Mississippi and serves the whole state of with its supply of blood. MBS supplies blood for 42 hospitals and is the sole provider for the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

“The need for blood never goes down,” said Susan Ates, MBS public relations and communications assistant. “People who need blood can’t be put on a waiting list. Blood is one thing we cant live without.”

Ates said blood is a life-saving solution that must be on hand not just for emergencies, but also for cancer and sickle cell treatments. Before it can be used, blood must be processed for two days. It is also important that the hospitals have a verity of blood types in storage in case they have a patient with a rare type of blood. The hospital must have a large supply of blood so its patient will not have to wait to find a willing blood match to donate.

“Every two seconds someone needs blood,” said Merle Eldridge, MBS public relations and communications manager. “Mississippi Blood Services relies on volunteer blood donors to ensure that we are able to supply over 90,000 units per year to the hospitals that we service.”

Potential donators can visit msblood.com or call 888-902-5663 for information on how and when to give blood. Visitors can also download the free MBS app to keep up with MBS drives and events in their area and follow Msbloodservices on Twitter and Facebook.