Augusta Area In Major Need Of Blood Donations
Earlier this month, Shepeard Community Blood Center took to social media regarding a major need for blood donations. At the time, their shelves were empty, and they were unable to fulfill the need for local hospitals. While they have successfully hosted some donation events, the need for blood donations is a year-round issue.
Need For Blood Donations
Shepeard Community Blood Center posted a few days ago that as of last Friday they were able to fulfill blood product requests for the local hospitals. They said this was the first time they were able to complete all orders in more than 6 weeks. That’s a great accomplishment. And if you were someone who donated during that time, THANK YOU!
While the center was able to fulfill the need recently, the need for blood donation never takes a vacation. The shelves are empty once again after all the orders were filled.
How To Donate Blood
Various organizations host blood drives throughout the Augusta area, and you can participate that way. But, you don’t have to wait for an event. Shepeard Community Blood Center has 5 locations around the CSRA :
- Augusta – 1533 Wrightsboro Road
- Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
- Aiken – 353 Fabian Drive
- Tuesday – Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
- Evans – 4329 Washington Road
- Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Saturday 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Sunday 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Grovetown – 290 Meridian Drive
- Monday – Friday 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Saturday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Sunday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Dublin – 122 South Jefferson Street
- Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. – THIRD Saturday of each month ONLY
Your blood donation can help save local lives. The donations stay in the community to help those in need.
Before you donate, be sure to check out these blood donation tips from Shepeard Community Blood Center!
About Shepeard Community Blood Center
Shepeard Community Blood Center is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit blood center. They collect, process, and distribute blood and blood products. The donations through Shepeard help provide for 23 hospitals in 30 counties across the Georgia and South Carolina area.
Shepeard Community Blood Center’s first location was opened on October 9, 1978. The original location was a leased building on 12th Street in downtown Augusta. One of the founders was Walter L. Shepeard, and the center was named after him. He was a doctor and chairman of the Department of Medical Technology at the Medical College of Georgia. Shepeard was nationally recognized as a specialist in blood banking and he was devoted to the development of a center in the Augusta area.
The donation center in Aiken wasn’t opened until September 2001, although prior to that, they operated out of a bloodmobile to aid Aiken Regional Medical Centers. A location was also opened in Evans on North Belair Road, but that location relocated to Washington Road in February 2010.
The center now has 5 donation locations throughout the CSRA, and also has bloodmobiles that visit 21 counties within South Carolina and Georgia.
People Who Live to 100 Have These Things in Common
1. They Have a Good Immune System
A new study published in the journal eBioMedicine looked at the DNA and lifestyle of seven centenarians to see what they had in common to live so long. The researchers found that people in the 100+ age group, not surprisingly, had a strong immune system that had allowed them to fight off a lot of illnesses. It helped them stay alive longer.
They Have a Good Immune System
2. How to Improve Your Immune System
If having a good immune system isn’t in your genres, according to the experts at Harvard, you can boost your immune system by eating a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables. Another way is to exercise regularly and have a healthy weight. A few other ways include getting enough sleep, only drinking in moderation, not smoking, staying up to date with immunizations and avoiding stress.
Ways to Improve Your Immune System
3. They Have Chronic Illnesses Later in Life
According to a recent study published in the National Library of Medicine, “The age at which 20% of each of the centenarian groups experienced morbidity was significantly delayed by between 18 and 24 years.” That means these people got chronic illnesses much later than their peers. It helped them live longer.
They Have Chronic Illnesses Later in Life
4. They Exercise Regularly
This one shouldn’t be a surprise. According to a National Institutes of Health study, 2.5 hours of moderate activity a week could increase your life by 3.4 years. Studies also show that places around the world with the most centenarians are often in places with rural communities, where they are up and walking around instead of sitting at a desk. So, get out and move.
They Exercise Regularly
5. They Aren't Overweight
Keeping their weight in check is apparently another commonality with people who make it to 100 years old. In a Harvard-Salk Institute paper about longevity, they note, “At present, calorie restriction remains the most robust [i.e., evidence based] strategy for extending health and lifespan in most biological models tested.” So, eat, but do so mindfully. They also eat healthy, which goes along with longevity.
They Aren’t Overweight
6. They Stay Connected
As they say, people need people. According to a research study via PNAS.org, having real, quality social ties with friends and family has been associated with better health. Also, being socially isolated has been associated with an increased risk of inflammation in people of different ages. So, don’t be such a hermit.
They Stay Connected
7. They Have Faith
According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, “While there is no definitive scientific evidence linking directly spirituality and longevity some research suggests that spiritual practices and beliefs may have indirect effects on physical and mental health, which could potentially contribute to longer life spans.” So, it’s not a sure thing. But, it appears having beliefs and spirituality is something that many people over 100 share. Pray up, my friend.
They Have Faith
8. Blood Commonalities
A recent study published in GeroScience shows that those 100 years of age and older have some similarities in their blood. According to research, they have lower, but not super low, levels of creatinine, glucose and uric acid. Talk to your doctor about ways to get your blood to those levels, and talk to you doctor about any changes you plan to make to your lifestyle and diet, of course.
Blood Commonalities
