The American Red Cross Needs Blood Donations

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Courtesy of RedCross.org

   The American Red Cross seeks your help to address a shortage of Type O blood donors and requests that people who are able to donate over the next few weeks to please do so.

   Donors of all blood types are needed to help reduce the demand for Type O blood. Currently, the Red Cross has less than a half-day’s supply of Type O blood and only a 1.4 day-supply of blood overall. If you have not donated blood within the past 56 day, the Red Cross urges you to consider donating in the near future. Your donation could make the difference in someone’s life. 

   In addition, anyone who donates blood or platelets at a Red Cross donation site from March 19 through April 15 can register to win one of two portable DVD players. Blood donors must be at least 17 years old, in good general health and must weigh at least 110 pounds. Please eat a good meal and drink extra water before your donation to help improve your donation experience. The entire process only takes about an hour from start to finish, and your single donation can save as many as three lives. 

   Type O blood is one of the most-needed types of blood. It is the universal blood type and is often given to hospital patients in emergency situations when there is no time to match the patient with their exact blood type. It takes up to 72 hours to process a unit of blood, and it is critical to have Type O blood available when an emergency medical situation occurs. 

   The American Red Cross collects almost half of the blood supply in the United States. Every day about 34,000 units of blood are needed but only 5 percent of the eligible population donates. Between 500 and 530 units must be collected daily to supply the nearly 70 hospitals the American Red Cross serves in Arkansas, Southern Missouri, Western Tennessee and Northern Mississippi. 

   Since blood products are distributed to these hospitals every day, any decline in daily collections can result in a blood shortage. Current collections are falling far below even normal seasonal levels for this time of year, having a dramatic impact on the daily blood supply. 

   You can help make a difference!  Each month there are drives organized in or around your area for your convenience. To schedule an appointment or locate a blood drive in your area, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or donate at one of the Red Cross donation sites listed below. Someone is counting on your donation. Please donate blood today!