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Storm stops blood drives; donations being sought |
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Sunday, 01 February 2009 |
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By Lynda Hollenbeck Courier Staff The past week’s storms resulted in the cancellation of numerous Amer-ican Red Cross blood drives in the interest of safety.
Red Cross officials said this translates to the loss of more than 800 donations.
Each blood donation can impact the lives of as many as three patients in an area hospital, officials say. The American Red Cross reminds everyone of the constant need for blood and asks donors to respond now.
An average day reportedly requires the collection of more than 500 units to meet expected needs. Severe weather lasting several days has impacted available supplies.
It can take up to 72 hours to test and process a donated unit for delivery to a hospital, so keeping an adequate supply on hand at all times is critical to patients in need.
“We often think of traumatic injury for blood transfusions, but much of the blood collected is used for heart surgeries, cancer and leukemia treatments and many other medical procedures depend on the availability of blood and platelets,” said Erschelle Newsome, chief executive officer for the Greater Ozarks Arkansas Region.
The American Red Cross relies on the generosity of volunteer donors, Newsome said. To donate blood, a person must be in generally good health, weigh 110 pounds or more and be at least 17 years old. Anyone currently eligible to donate or first-time donors are asked to call 1-800-Give-Life or visit a fixed donor site as soon as possible.
Donor centers and mobile operations are returning to full schedules as quickly as conditions permit. The American Red Cross has donor centers located in Little Rock, North Little Rock, Searcy, Russellville, Pine Bluff, Tontitown, Jonesboro, Mountain Home and Springfield, Mo.
The Red Cross also has numerous bloodmobiles that travel throughout the area daily. For more information on blood drives in your community or to schedule an appointment, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit BloodIsNeeded.Org for the latest locations.
Every two seconds someone needs blood, Red Cross officials say.
“Change a life, starting with your own, by donating blood today,” Newsome said.
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