With each day that passes, the need for life-saving blood at Indiana hospitals escalates, and Eskenazi Health is encouraging everyone who can to make an appointment as soon as possible to donate blood at a nearby Versiti Blood Center of Indiana location.

All blood types are needed, with the greatest need being O-negative and O-positive types. O-negative donors are universal blood donors, meaning their red blood cells can be transfused to all patients.

To ensure ongoing donor safety, Versiti requires all donors and employees to wear a face covering. Donors are asked to bring their own face covering with them to their appointment.

Donors are asked to make an appointment immediately by calling 317-916-5150. Appointments are strongly encouraged. With coronavirus safety precautions in place, walk-in donors could experience wait times. Below is a list of Versiti Blood Centers in Central Indiana.

• INDIANAPOLIS: 3450 N. Meridian St.
• FISHERS: 11005 Allisonville Road
• CARMEL: 726 Adams St., Suite 150
• GREENWOOD: 8739 U.S. 31 South
• LAFAYETTE: 2200 Elmwood Ave., Suite D-16
• TERRE HAUTE: 2021 S. Third St.

Eskenazi Health joins with Versiti Blood Center of Indiana in encouraging the generosity of donors to ensure hospitals have the necessary blood available as they resume elective surgeries and other essential patient care.

Eskenazi Health operates the Smith Level I Shock Trauma Center and one of the busiest emergency departments in the state of Indiana. Eskenazi Health provides the most extensive range of trauma care in Indiana, seeing more than 100,000 patients in the emergency department each year which comes out to nearly 300 patients a day. Patients at Eskenazi Health use more than 1,000 blood products every month.

In some trauma situations, patients may require 10, 20 or even more transfusions, depending on the severity of the injury. Eskenazi Health must be ready.

Giving blood is a unique way to honor and remember – and make a difference in the community. Each donation can help save up to 4 lives.