I would like to thank you and all of the others in the Demopolis area who promoted and supported the emergency blood drive yesterday at Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital. The response to our plea for blood was phenomenal as United Blood Services was able to collect 43 units of blood. There were also many who tried to donate but were physically unable to donate for a variety of reasons.

While our blood drive yesterday was a success, a critical shortage of blood in this region and throughout the nation is something we continue to face on a daily basis. We encourage all who are physically able to continue to donate blood whenever possible in order to assure that this life saving gift is available to all residents of West Alabama. United Blood Services in Meridian, serves Marengo, Greene, Hale, Clark, Tuscaloosa, Fayette, Sumter and Pickens counties in West Alabama, along with other facilities in East Mississippi. All blood donated to this particular organization be used in this particular areas to help fill needs of our patients.

The next blood drive scheduled in Demopolis will be held at the main branch of Commercial Bank of Demopolis on February 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those who donated yesterday will be eligible to donate again in eight weeks. If you have not donated blood since December 16, 2003 you are eligible to donate again on February 10. Your continued support of blood drives sponsored by United Blood Services will help to ensure that blood is available for this area.

Sincerely,

Mike Marshall

CEO/Administrator

Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital