Donor Cynthia Elmer knows the routine every time she steps on the United Blood Services van. Elmer said she donates as often as she can because she has Type O negative blood, the most transfused type in emergency situations.

United Blood Service workers are asking that area residents extend their hearts and a rolled up sleeve to help make sure they’re prepared to meet the Memorial Day demand for blood supplies. 

The United Blood Services van visited the Iberia Parish Library Saturday during the Nonprofit Resource Fair  in hopes of encouraging residents to help them meet the needs of what they call their most critical time of year. 

“We have the Memorial Day holiday coming up,” Assistant Donor Care Supervisor Christy Taylor said.  “There are accidents on the roads, school is getting ready to get out, and we have to keep the blood supply stocked up. The summer months is our critical time,” she said.

Cynthia Elmer is a regular donor and workers couldn’t be happier. Elmer has type O negative blood which is the most transfused type in emergency situations. 

“I give blood all the time. I am giving twice the amount of red cells because of my blood type,” she said.

Those who were able to give blood Saturday can not do so again for the next two months. But for those who didn’t get the chance to give Saturday there are two more blood drives scheduled throughout the parish this week.

On Wednesday, the blood drive will be at Community First Bank, 1101 E Admiral Doyle from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Then on Thursday, the drive will be at 1205 East Admiral Doyle from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Taylor said that there is a United Blood Service bus always located at Iberia Medical Center from 3 to 6 p.m. every Monday.

Those who give blood during the drive will receive a patriotic T-Shirt and bonus points for a free movie ticket through the online reward store bloodhero.com.