Hurricane Irma: NCH Community Blood Center in Naples needs donations

Christine Sadry donates blood at the Community Blood Center in downtown Naples Monday morning, June 13, 2016. "I'm heartbroken," she said. "What a tragedy. How very sad it is for this to have happened."

The NCH Community Blood Center is facing a blood shortage after a four-day closure due to Hurricane Irma.

The center is receiving blood shipments from other parts of the country through the National Blood Exchange. However, staff are urging the public to help increase the local blood supply.

Regular blood donations can be made at the center’s Naples branch at 311 Ninth St. N., Suite 201. The blood center also will holding blood drives this week in air-conditioned bloodmobiles at the following times and locations. Donors will receive a movie ticket.

» Tuesday, Sept. 19: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Ave Maria University, 5050 Ave Maria Blvd.

» Wednesday, Sept. 20: 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. at NCH North Naples Hospital, 11190 Health Park Blvd., North Naples.

» Thursday, Sept. 21: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Naples Daily News, 1100 Immokalee Road, North Naples.

» Friday-Monday, Sept. 22-25: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Sembler Plaza, SW corner of Naples Boulevard and Airport-Pulling Road, North Naples.

Robert Dorsey, an Air Force veteran and bouncer at the Blue Martini, chats with Martha Prado, a phlebotomist, as she prepares to draw his blood Monday, June 13, 2016.

Donors must bring a photo ID, be at least 16 and weigh at least 110 pounds. Minors must have a parent present, and there is no age limit for blood donors.

The center recommends donors eat and drink plenty of water before donating.

“The need for blood never stops, not even for a hurricane,” wrote center spokeswoman Laura Rosen in a news release. “It is imperative to have an ample supply before a storm and immediate public support from donors after the storm.

More:How to help, volunteer and donate to those affected by Hurricane Irma

“While NCH Community Blood Center had adequate supplies both before and immediately following the hurricane, it now needs to see a continued response from willing donors.”

Platelet donations are in especially high demand because supplies last only five days.

To donate platelets, donors must not have taken aspirin for 48 hours before having their blood drawn, and women must never have been pregnant.

Platelet donations take two hours, and appointments can be made by calling the Community Blood Center at 239-624-4120.

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