HCA Florida freestanding emergency upcoming blood drives

Jacksonville, FL — HCA Florida Memorial Hospital is proud to partner with LifeSouth Community Blood Centers and Kona Ice for blood drives throughout the year at four of its freestanding emergency locations. Free Kona Ice cups will be given to the first 100 donors or visitors to our ER blood drives.

As blood cannot be harvested, the only way for patients in hospitals to receive blood is through a transfusion from a donor. One hour is all it will take to give one pint of blood that can save up to three lives. One pint can be broken down into three components: Red blood cells, plasma and platelets, that can be given to three separate patients.

Blood drives include:

HCA Florida Mandarin Emergency
LifeSouth: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Kona Ice: 10:00am - 2:00pm
10910 San Jose Blvd (just west of I-295)
Friday, May 29

HCA Florida St. Augustine Emergency
LifeSouth: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Kona Ice: 10:00am - 2:00pm
1780 Woodlawn Road (off SR 16 across from Florida Highway Patrol)
Thursday, May 7

“The partnership between LifeSouth, Kona Ice and HCA Florida Memorial Hospital is an invaluable community service that patients rely on for lifesaving blood donated during these drives,” said Steve Black, Director of the Lab at HCA Florida Memorial Hospital. “The most important blood donation is your next one as blood does not store for long periods of time due to its short shelf life.”

According to LifeSouth, platelets must be used within five to seven days, red blood cells need to be used within 4 weeks while plasma can be frozen for one year. Platelets are used to help patients who have trouble clotting, who are undergoing cancer procedures or who are recovering from major organ transplantation. Red blood cells are used by patients who have severe blood loss, anemia, sickle cell disease and or are undergoing major surgery.

The need for blood is constant.