Be sure to visit the Coastal Bend Blood Center’s mobile unit in Port Aransas today, Thursday, May 19. The unit will be in the Family Center IGA parking lot, 418 S. Alister St., from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

A spokesperson for the blood center said, “Children being treated for cancer, premature infants and children having heart surgery need blood and platelets from donors of all types, especially type O.” Donors may be eligible to give blood if they are in general good health, are 17 years of age or older, weigh at least 110 pounds, haven’t donated whole blood in the last eight weeks, have normal blood pressure, pulse and temperature, don’t have a cold or sore throat, are not pregnant, under a doctor’s care for any serious illness or injury, or taking antibiotics for an active infection. Donors with high blood pressure controlled by medication or with diabetes controlled by medication also may be eligible. Due to the needs of patients in area medical facilities, inventory levels are constantly changing. To ensure a safe and adequate blood supply for the Coastal Bend, more than 150 people must register to give blood each day. Requirements include providing name, address and a photo ID and answering questions about health, medical history, current medications and recent surgeries. These questions ensure that donors are healthy enough to give blood.