Administrative Office of Courts
Supreme Court hosts blood drive The Mississippi Supreme Court is hosting a blood drive on Wednesday, Oct. 22. Justice Chuck Easley, who is coordinating the blood drive, has asked judges, court staff and lawyers statewide to roll up their sleeves and give blood. Justice Easley, of Caledonia, said, "I've given blood since I was in college. It's a life-saving resource." Justice Kay Cobb of Oxford said, "I'm going to give and I think it's a great idea. I encourage everybody to take our challenge to give also." Justice Easley said, "We've challenged Attorney General Mike Moore. He immediately picked up the challenge. Within a week we had approximately 50 people from the attorney general's office who are going to give blood." A total of about 75 people have volunteered to give blood, Justice Easley said. United Blood Services will be in the lobby at the Gartin Justice Building from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Oct. 22. The Gartin Justice Building is located at 450 High Street in Jackson. Justice Easley said he encourages others to give blood at local blood banks around the state. The need is always present, but has become more acute, he said. Susan Morris of Meridian, public relations director for United Blood Services, said, "We are at a very critical level with less than half a day's supply on our shelves to back up our hospitals." United Blood Services supplies blood products to 54 hospitals across the state. Morris said, "We have really not recovered from the long summer drought in terms of blood donors." Morris said the demand for blood products continues to rise, but donations haven't kept pace. "It's been a real struggle all year" to maintain an adequate supply of blood, Morris said. "This is probably more severe, and for a much more extended period of time." Morris said, "We at United Blood Services are extremely grateful to have this kind of leadership to help us save lives." #### |
