#MissingType Campaign Underway

For the first time ever, blood centers from across the world are uniting to bring attention to a major problem that is affecting nearly every part of the globe including East Tennessee. MEDIC Regional Blood Center is participating in the Missing Type campaign to highlight a nearly 30% decrease in the number of new blood donors over the past decade. Blood centers report that the number of first time blood donors in 2005 topped 1.8 million people. In 2015, that number fell to 1.3 million. Yet with three people receiving blood every second globally, the need for new blood donors is greater than ever. Throughout the campaign, the letters A, B and O will disappear. The campaign will primarily be driven through social media, but it will also include the letters from some iconic landmarks and locations all over the world. Celebrities and companies will also be participating in the effort by removing the letters from their posts, pictures, and logos on social media. “We really hope people in East Tennessee will be inspired by the Missing Type campaign and start saving lives by becoming blood donors,” said MEDIC spokesperson Benjamin Prijatel. Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett is helping kickoff the campaign by taking a photograph with missing letters in his name and title. This campaign isn’t just for celebrities and companies, however. Ultimately, its purpose is to inspire a grassr

MEDIC would like to thank two of our very special donors. This week, Donna and Doug Clevenger came by our office to donate platelets on their 26th wedding anniversary! The Clevengers have turned blood donation into a family affair – their son has been donating with them regularly for several years and their daughter will start donating in a few months when she turns 16. Doug says his father encouraged him to donate from a young age and that he is glad to donate now in honor of his father who has recently become too ill to donate blood. MEDIC is so thankful for families like theirs. Happy Anniversary, Doug and Donna! Thank you for spending your special day with MEDIC! Click here to learn more about donating platelets or to make an appointment.

New travel restrictions are going into effect for blood donors who have recently traveled to areas where the Zika virus is spreading. Anyone who has traveled to Mexico, the Caribbean, and/or Central or South America in the last 28 days, is being asked not to donate blood. Donors are asked to return to donate if they are feeling healthy and have not been in one of the affected areas for at least 28 days. Zika virus infection is mild in most people, but there is concern that Zika is causing serious brain injury to infants whose mothers have been infected during pregnancy. Zika can be present in the blood of an infected person who has no symptoms of illness. Donors who have questions about their eligibility can call 865-524-3074. Visit the CDC website, for more information on the Zika Virus.

MEDIC Regional Blood Center is teaming up with Food City, Star 102.1, and WATE 6 On Your Side to encourage those in East Tennessee to roll up their sleeves and give lifesaving blood. Roll Up Your Sleeve week is hosted every January at a time when blood inventory tends to be low. This year, MEDIC’s inventory is near critical levels. Everyone is asked to donate blood regardless of their blood type. Food City is hosting MEDIC at 21 of their East Tennessee area stores across 13 counties. To help encourage people to donate blood, one person at each Food City hosted blood drive will win a $50 Food City gift card. At the end of the week, every blood donor will be entered into another drawing for a $500 Food City gift card. Additionally, each person who donates blood will receive a MEDIC Roll Up Your Sleeve t-shirt and a coupon for a free appetizer from Texas Roadhouse. “Right now we don’t have the blood supply we need,” said MEDIC spokesperson Benjamin Prijatel. “If you’re a regular blood donor, please come in and donate. If you can’t give blood but want to help, please encourage your friends, family, and co-workers to participate. “ In addition to the locations at Food City stores, WATE 6 On Your Side is also hosting a MEDIC blood drive. One donor who gives blood there will also win a $50 Food City gift card. Below is a list of all of the Roll Up Your Sleeve blood dri

The University of Tennessee Volunteers easily tamed the University of Kentucky Wildcats in October, but the competition between these rivals isn’t over yet. The 28^th Annual Battle of the Orange and Blue is scheduled for November 16^th-20^th. The event is a partnership between MEDIC Regional Blood Center in Knoxville and the Kentucky Blood Center in Lexington. The two centers compete to see who can get the most donors to give lifesaving blood. Currently, Kentucky donors hold a 14-12-1 lead over Tennessee including wins the past five years. In an effort to turn things around this year, MEDIC is partnering with East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. All donors who give blood during Orange and Blue will receive a free ticket to Fantasy of Trees, the annual fundraising event at the Knoxville Convention Center that benefits Children’s Hospital. Donors also receive a special edition Orange and Blue 2015 t-shirt and coupons for a free, small one-topping pizza from Papa John’s and a free appetizer from Texas Roadhouse. In an effort to reach as many donors as possible, MEDIC is hosting a record 43 blood drives in 16 East Tennessee counties. Those include: Monday, November 16^th MEDIC Knoxville Donor Center – 1601 Ailor Avenue, 8am-6:30pm MEDIC Farragut Donor Center – 11000 Kingston Pike, 7am-6:30pm MEDIC Crossville Donor Center – 79 S.