Meek Blood Center has issued an emergency appeal, calling for blood donations.

The center, which supplies blood to 15 hospitals in 12 counties requires about 1,000 blood donations each month to meet local and regional needs, will hold blood drives today at two locations.

Donor Recruiter Frances Baker says, "No other forms of the hepatitis strand are cleared to donate".

Baker stated that only individuals who have been "cleared of the hepatitis A virus for more than five years" are able to donate blood. The reason for the lifted restriction, according to her, is because "Hepatitis A is a milder form of the virus and is passed through food rather than blood like hepatitis B and C".

Another restriction lift now allows 16-year-olds to donate blood as long as they have legal consent from their guardian.

Baker talking about the second restriction, said, "With this (lifted) restriction we are expanding our donor pool instead of shrinking it".

"We just started allowing 16-year-olds to donate with their guardian's consent this January, Once we get going and receive more of our 16-year-old donors we will make a tremendous blood increase", she added.

Potential donors with any queries are asked to call the center at 325-670-2798.

Individuals interested can donate from 9 a. m.-3 p. m. at the Donor Center, 1150 N. 18th St., or at the Bloodmobile parked at Southern Hills Church of Christ, 3666 Buffalo Gap Road.