We need to alert the community to a critical blood shortage. Hospitals across the state are requesting more units of blood to meet the needs of accident, surgical and cancer patients.

Hospitals already are stretching scarce resources to respond to the daily challenges of providing care to all who come through our doors. Cuts to these resources will have a negative impact on the availability of care for the patients and communities we serve.

Hospitals in the South are helping where they can. It's about patients first. Our community is known as one of passion and compassion and that's what this is about.

This is a big concern by many at our children's hospitals and other related organizations across the country, because when it comes down to volume there are more adults to care for than children.

All very silly really, when the main aim is surely to save the community hospitals.

I've always felt that two hospitals was good for the community. The competition has kept both hospitals on their toes.