Mississippi Blood Services Aids Victims of New Orleans Tragedy

JACKSON, Miss. – On January 1, 2025, a mass casualty incident occurred in the New Orleans French Quarter during the annual New Year’s Eve celebration. According to officials, a vehicle drove into a crowd at the intersection of Bourbon and Canal Street, killing fifteen people and injuring at least thirty-five more.  In response to the incident, The Blood Center of New Orleans is providing critical blood units needed for the victims and has requested assistance from members of the Blood Emergency Readiness Corps (BERC), which Mississippi Blood Services (MBS) is a member of, to provide additional blood products for the patients in need.

“Mississippi Blood Services is actively supplying units of blood to support the needs of those injured in the incredibly tragic act of violence which occurred in New Orleans earlier this morning,” said Christopher Swafford, President and CEO of Mississippi Blood Services. “A tremendous thank you goes out to our loyal donors for having our blood product supply in a position where we can respond to others in need so quickly.  Please know that our team at Mississippi Blood Services and you, our donors, are the heroes behind the scenes in this tragedy because the blood products collected in the previous days is helping to save lives in New Orleans today.”

During challenging times, Mississippians have always stepped up to assist others in need, and now, once again, is the time to demonstrate Mississippi’s unwavering commitment to helping others. If you are eligible to donate a blood product, please come by one of these locations and donate. Walk-ins are always welcome. 

**Flowood Center                          Cleveland Center                                           Oxford Center

115 Tree Street #C                     609 North Davis, Suite 110B                       2627 West Oxford Loop Flowood, MS 39232                  Cleveland, MS 38732                                   Oxford, MS 38655

Operational Hours:

Thursday, January 2                                      9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday, January 3                                            9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
**Saturday, January 4                                  7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.