Mississippi Blood Services Urgent Holiday Appeal for Local Donors

Mississippi Blood Services issued an urgent statewide appeal on December 19 after reporting critically low blood supplies during the holiday period. The organization asked donors, with particular emphasis on O and B blood types, to make appointments or attend mobile drives so area hospitals have the blood they need for routine care and emergencies.

Oxford area donors are directed to the local donor center at 2627 West Oxford Loop, Suite C. Appointments can be scheduled and information about hosting a blood drive or locating mobile collection sites is available at msblood.com. The appeal also outlined incentives intended to encourage donations, including limited edition holiday shirts and donor reward programs tied to certain types of donations.

The shortage came during a time when donation rates typically decline due to travel and holiday schedules. Local hospitals rely on steady blood supplies for surgeries, trauma care, transfusions for chronic conditions, and maternal health services. A drop in available units can force hospitals to delay procedures or transfer patients if nearby inventories cannot meet demand.

Hosting a community blood drive can be a direct way for churches, businesses, schools, and civic groups in Lafayette County to support local health care needs. Mississippi Blood Services provides guidance on how to arrange drives and coordinates mobile collections that visit neighborhoods and workplaces. Managers of local organizations are encouraged to consult msblood.com for scheduling details and eligibility requirements.

The holiday incentives are one part of the push to stabilize supplies before the new year. Donors who are able to give are asked to consider making appointments soon and to share information about local collection opportunities with friends and family. Maintaining a robust local blood supply affects patient care across Lafayette County, and community participation remains essential to meeting that need.