Critical Blood Shortage: Donate Today!

All blood donated at AV Hospital Blood Donor Center stays local

Blood supplies are at a critically low level. The Antelope Valley Medical Center (AVMC) Blood Donor Center is asking potential donors, especially those with types O-negative and O-positive blood, to donate now.

Donors can call 661-949-5622 to schedule an appointment or walk-in. The AVMC Blood Donor Center is open:

• Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
• Wednesdays from 7 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month from 8 a.m. – 1 p.m.

The center is located at 44105 15th Street West, Suite 305, in Lancaster. The blood donation only takes about 5-10 minutes, but donors should allow one hour for the entire process.

To qualify, potential donors must:

• Be at least 16 years old. (Minors must have written parental/guardian consent.)
• Weigh at least 110 pounds. (Teens ages 16-17 must weigh at least 120 pounds.)
• Be in good health (no flu, infections, or unstable health conditions).
• Not have given blood within the last eight weeks.
• Present a picture ID (driver’s license or state-issued ID card) if a first-time donor.
• Eat a meal and drink extra fluids before donating.

"As a Level II trauma center, it is especially important that we have enough blood on-hand to care for critically ill or injured patients at AV Hospital," said Pavel Petrik, M.D., AVMC’s trauma medical director and chairman of the surgery department. "An hour of time spent donating blood can be a lifesaving gift for someone in need."

Currently the Blood Donor Center is sponsoring its winter blood drive, which means all donors receive a free t-shirt and calendar magnet. Anyone donating blood this month will receive both items. Additionally, all blood donors receive a free cholesterol test.