According to The Red Cross, every two seconds, someone needs a blood transfusion in the United States.
Currently there is less than one day’s supply of O Negative and B Negative in the 100-county region. There is less than two days’ supply of O Positive, A Positive, B Positive and A Negative.
The Greater Alleghenies Blood Services Region must collect at least 1,000 units of blood each weekday to meet the needs of the area.
During the summer months, fewer blood drives are held. Summer drives are also often smaller. Although collections are down, the need for blood remains steady.
According to Taunia Oechslin, Senior Director, Recruitment, Greater Alleghenies Region, the need for blood transfusions for accident victims, cancer patients, surgical patients and others continues year-round while significant sources for blood donors decline during the summer.
“Each year our region collects about a fifth of its blood supply at high schools and colleges, two types of donor sites that for the most part are unavailable during the summer,” said Oechslin.
“Vacations and the potential for hot, humid weather makes it much more difficult to schedule enough blood drives to collect the 1,000 units needed each weekday in our 100-county service area.”
Oechslin urges area residents to donate blood at upcoming bloodmobiles and also encourages businesses, churches and community organizations to consider adding a Red Cross blood drive to their event calendars.
To be eligible to give blood, an individual must be at least 17 years of age, weight at least 105 pounds and be in generally good health.
According to a release from The Red Cross, approximately half of the population is eligible to give blood, however only five percent donate each year.
The next opportunity for individuals to donate blood in the area will be Wednesday, June 22 at the Bellwood Senior Center, Main Street, Bellwood.
Anyone with questions regarding eligibility may call the nursing collections department at 1-800-542-5663. For more information about local blood drives, call 1-800-Give-Life or visit www.redcrosslife.org.
