STATE NEWS — Each day patients across the U.S. need blood every two seconds. Much of a patients successful recovery depends on the steady supply of blood from healthy donors … and right now those supplies are low.

Blood supplies across Tennessee, and much of the U.S., are at dangerously low levels due to recent severe weather and the holidays. Currently the blood supply level in Tennessee is one to two days – meaning that area centers have enough blood supply to meet normal operating demands for one to two days.

Severe weather throughout the south during the month of December and the holidays caused the shortage. Many blood drives were canceled due to the weather and the holidays always present a lull because regular donor are busy.

There will be several area blood drives in the next two weeks including: Blood Assurance mobile drives at the First Christian Church located at 120 West Grundy Street in Tullahoma on January 9 from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and at World Finance at 2280 Thornton Taylor Parkway in Fayetteville on January 16 from 12-4:30 p.m. Click here for more details.

There will also be an American Red Cross mobile drive at Wal-Mart in Tullahoma on January 7 from 2-6 p.m. and at the First Christian Church Annex located at 201 NW Atlantic Street in Tullahoma on January 14 from 2:15 to 6:15 p.m Click here for more details.

Of course, individuals may always donate at the Blood Assurance offices located at 604 North Jackson Street. They are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and every third Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

For more information about donating blood locally visit the Blood Assurance website or the American Red Cross website. •

{The Lynchburg Times is an independently owned and operated newspaper that publishes new stories every morning. Covering Metro Moore County government, Jack Daniel’s Distillery, Nearest Green Distillery, Tims Ford State Park, Motlow State Community College, Moore County High School, Moore County Middle School, Lynchburg Elementary, Raider Sports, plus regional and state news.}