United Blood Services is urging area residents to make one of their New Years resolutions to donate blood three times in 2014. To reinforce this message, they are giving all of their January donors, while supplies last, “Resolve to Donate” shirts.

As the community blood provider, United Blood Services has made a critical appeal for all blood types. High patient usage and a lack of blood donations have caused an on-going urgent and critical need for blood. This year’s severe flu outbreak is having a negative effect on blood donations, keeping the local blood supply critically low. Local hospitals are experiencing a high increase in blood usage and United Blood Services is down to a less than a one-day supply to service all local hospitals.

If you are healthy, your blood donation is needed at the Jefferson Davis Community Hospital blood drive on Friday, January 31st. The bloodmobile will be parked at the hospital from 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

To sign up, go to www.bloodhero.com. Donors can also go to www.unitedbloodservices.org the day of their donation and click on the “Health History Questionnaire” button to save time as well as lives. This allows donors to complete the interview portion of their donation on-line.

Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Additional height and weight requirements apply to donors 22 and younger, and donors who are 16 years of age must have signed permission from a parent or guardian. Donors receive a free cholesterol test. A photo ID is required to donate. For more information, call 601-264-0743.