(KCEN) -- The Scott & White Blood Center is having a blood drive today and hopes to fulfill what they are saying is an urgent need for all blood types.
The drive is being held today at the Hilton Garden Inn, located at 1749 Scott Boulevard in Temple, right across from Scott & White Hospital.
Anyone wishing to give blood can do so between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at that location.
Even though January is Blood Donor Month, donations have been lower than expected this year.
Medical Director of the Scott & White Blood Center Walter Linz, M.D. said, "We anticipated that blood donations could be lower than usual, resulting in blood supply shortages. It is something we face almost every holiday, every year, and it is hitting us particularly hard right now due to a particularly bad flu season."
To ease people's fear of being exposed to the flu, the blood drive is being held at the Hilton instead of at the hospital.
Linz said, "Donors are hesitant to come into the Blood Center at the main campus because of flu exposure, so we are holding it off-site to give our donors some peace of mind."
Everyone who donates blood will get a T-shirt, a pound of chocolate chip cookie dough with the purchase of a pizza from Papa Murphy's and the chance to win a teeth whitening kit from Dr. Philip Davis, a $50 gift card from Academy or two tickets to a San Antonio Spurs game.
To donate blood, you must be at least 17-years-old and weigh more than 110 pounds. A picture ID must be shown to register to donate.
Anyone wanting more information can call 254-724-HERO (4376) or 877-724-HERO (4376).
