Red Cross: We Need Blood

The Northern Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross is urging all eligible blood donors to donate this Memorial Day weekend and ensure a strong blood supply for local patients.

Red Cross blood services - news release

Currently, the Region is below minimum inventory standards on four of the eight blood types. There is less than half a day's supply of type O Negative, which is often used by hospitals in emergency situations when a person's blood type is unknown.

Low blood supplies are typical from late May through September because regular donors and their families become busy with summer activities and may neglect to donate blood. At the same time, blood needs rise as increased roadway and travel-related accidents drain supplies"”particularly during high travel weekends like Memorial Day. Someone seriously injured in an automobile accident, for instance, may need up to 40 units of blood for their emergency care.

"While summer signals rest and relaxation for a lot of us, it's also a time we can work together to ensure blood is there for hospital patients," said Christy Chapman, Communications Manager for the Northern Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross.

Platelets, a component of blood used to help cancer patients are also needed. Platelets must be transfused within five days of collection and the Red Cross depends on dedicated donors to continuously replenish the supply.

Every day, patients across the U.S. need an average of 38,000 units of blood. And while that need doesn't change with the season, the American Red Cross typically sees a dip in blood donations during the summer months. That dip, Red Cross officials say, is partly due to high school and college students being on summer break, and not giving through regularly scheduled school drives. About 20 percent of the blood supply is donated by high school and college students.

"The need for blood never takes a vacation," said Chapman. "We're asking all eligible donors"”including students"”to remember the countless adults and children in need of blood, and to make donating blood part of their summer activities."

How to Donate Blood

To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit RedCrossDonor.org for more information. To schedule an appointment to donate platelets, call 1-800-356-3339. If you are at least 17 years of age, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and are in good general health, you may be eligible to donate blood. All donors need to present positive identification.