The need for blood donations is on the rise following the devastating tornadoes in Middle Tennessee.
MEDIC Regional Blood Centers said they are in critical need for O Positive and O Negative blood types. Critical status means there is less than a two-day supply of blood on the shelves for that blood type.
Kristy Altman, MEDIC's director of marketing and donor recruitment, said the sooner people can come in and donate -- the better.
"What people don't understand is the blood on the shelves at the time of a trauma that's used, and it takes about three days for us to process blood and have it ready for distribution. So the folks that are donating on Tuesday, their products will be ready by Friday. The people who are donating later in the week, their products won't be ready until next week."
For those in East Tennessee wishing to donate, you can do so at the Downtown Knoxville, Farragut, Athens and Crossville locations.
MEDIC said it is committed to providing products to Blood Assurance when assistance is requested following the tornadoes in Putnam County and Middle Tennessee.