In early July, the American Red Cross issued a call for blood donations after seeing about 50,000 fewer blood and platelet donations than expected in June. Since then donations have increased, however, there is still an urgent need for platelet donors and donors of key blood types including O-negative, B-negative, and A-negative.
Right now blood products are being distributed to area hospitals almost as quickly as donations are coming in. At the same time, recent patients have needed large amounts of blood, including four patients who used nearly 300 blood products to survive traumatic injuries.
“We are grateful to those who have made the time to donate blood already this summer, but our work is not over,” said Rodney Wilson, communications manager for the Red Cross Central Ohio Blood Services Region. “The need for blood is constant. As we reach the mid-point of the summer trauma season, we ask the public to please schedule an appointment to give blood or platelets in the coming days and weeks.”
Summer is historically one of the most difficult times of the year for blood and platelet donations, being dubbed “trauma season” by healthcare workers due to an increase in traumatic injuries. “The need for blood doesn’t take a summer vacation, unfortunately,” said Wilson, “so we hope people can find an hour of time to give before summer’s end.”
Blood and platelets are needed for many reasons. Accident and burn victims, heart surgery patients and organ transplant patients, as well as those receiving treatment for cancer or sickle cell disease, may depend on lifesaving transfusions. Each day, the Central Ohio Region needs approximately 800 donors to step forward and give blood to support patients at 41 area hospitals. Blood and platelets can only come from generous volunteer donors.
Local patients like Wendy Newell know firsthand the importance of blood donation. She needed multiple transfusions after complications from delivering her twin babies. She needed enough blood to fill half her body. Today, she and her family are so thankful to those who give.
Those with types O-negative, B-negative and A-negative blood are especially encouraged to give. Type O-negative blood is the universal blood type and can be transfused to anyone who needs blood. Types A-negative and B-negative blood can be transfused to Rh positive or negative patients.
To find a blood drive near you, contact the Red Cross at redcrossblood.org or 1-800-RED CROSS.
How to Donate Blood
To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information. If you are at least 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), meet height and weight requirements (at least 110 pounds based on height) and are in good general health, you may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.
About the American Red Cross
The Central Ohio Blood Services Region serves 27 counties, and needs 800 blood donors each day to meet patient needs in 41 hospitals. The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org. QA/NHQ07242013