THOMASVILLE — Unexpected occurrences, like the fatal automobile incident Thursday morning in Thomasville, is one of numerous reasons officials say the Southeastern Community Blood Center, or SCBC, needs donations this holiday weekend.

The center, because of blood shortages, will be open for the first time in its history on the Fourth of July. Locations or blood mobiles will be open throughout SCBC’s area, including the Thomasville center and a bloodmobile set up at Wal-Mart in Cairo.

“One of the reasons we are open is because the blood supply has been at a one day supply in just about every type — it’s critical,” Joye Sandefur, SCBC Thomasville branch manager, said. “A prime example is the terrible wreck that occurred this morning. With that many injuries, it can deplete the one day supply in an hour, depending on trauma.”

Officials at the center, according to an event news release, report that blood donations for June 2009, compared to June 2008, have decreased by 10 percent and say it has been a struggle to motivate existing and potential donors to give blood.

This decline has led to SCBC importing blood from outside the community to keep up with the local demand.

“We’re doing 10 percent less since the start of the year,” Sandefur said. “A lot of it is having to do with the economy and economic situation. Unfortunately, people continue to get sick and accidents continue to happen. We are in dire need of donations.”

SCBC’s goal is to have a five-day supply at all times to meet its coverage area’s blood needs. Blood types currently critically short are O-positive, O-negative, B-positive, A- positive, A-negative and B-negative.

The goal for the holiday blood drive is 150 donations, but this blood will not be available for any situation that occurs on or around the Fourth of July holiday because it takes up to 48 hours to process a unit of donated blood.

“Donated blood is not shelf ready,” Sandefur explained. “Once tested, it is sent to a hospital. In order to have an adequate blood supply, we need a stable amount of donors every day.”

To be a donor, individuals have to be in good health, at least 17 years old — 16 with a parent’s permission — and weigh a minimum of 110 pounds.

“Blood only has a shelf life of 42 days and it is extremely difficult for us to keep up our supply during the summer months,” Courtney King, area blood drive coordinator, said. “A person is eligible to donate every 56 days. This gives the body time to replenish the iron level.”

Anyone donating blood on Saturday at either the centers or bloodmobiles will receive a $10 Wal-Mart gift card.

“We’re trying to encourage people to donate and thank them for doing so,” Sandefur said. “When they donate they are helping save someone’s life.”

Another strategy to increase donations began July 1 and lasts throughout the month. Individuals who give blood will receive a blue “blood donor beach bum” towel. Those who donate Saturday will also get a towel.

There will also be a weekly drawing for a trip for four to a Destin, Fla., water park and a $50 gas card.