ABINGDON, Va. - The blood supply at Johnston Memorial Hospital Blood Bank is critically low. All blood types are needed immediately.

Healthy individuals who are between the ages of 16 and 65 and weigh more than 110 pounds are eligible to donate blood. Healthy donors who are currently taking blood pressure or cholesterol medications are eligible. Diabetic donors are eligible if certain criteria such as blood glucose level and routine checks on glucose level are met.

First-time donors over the age of 65 must have permission from their doctors, ensuring that a blood donation will not compromise their health.  Donors must provide valid identification, such as driver's license or a donor card, must have eaten a meal within the last four hours, and must be well and healthy. Donors who are 16 must have parental consent to donate.

JMH Blood Bank is the blood collection entity of Johnston Memorial Hospital. The JMH Blood Bank provides blood products to Smyth County Community Hospital, Marion, and Twin County Regional Hospital, Galax.

To make a donation, call 276-619-9708 or stop by JMH Blood Bank. For a blood drive schedule, go to our web site: www.jmh.org/blood.

About Mountain States Health Alliance

Mountain States Health Alliance, a not-for-profit healthcare organization based in Johnson City, Tenn., operates a family of hospitals serving a 29-county, four-state region (Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Southeastern Kentucky and Western North Carolina). Mountain States offers a large tertiary hospital, several community hospitals, two critical access hospitals, rehabilitation, a children's hospital, a behavioral health hospital, home care and hospice services as well as a comprehensive medical management corporation. Its 9,000 team members are committed to its mission of bringing loving care to health care. For more information, visit www.msha.com.