Emergency Call for Blood Donors
By: Charlotte Ames
Updated: June 25, 2012
The Red Cross in our region is issuing an emergency call for blood donors of all types. The organization says the blood supply has reached emergency levels with 50,000 fewer pints of blood collected than expected in June. This leaves the Red Cross inventory with half the readily available blood products than this time last year. All blood types are needed, but especially O negative, B negative and A negative in order to meet patient demand this summer.
"Every day, the American Red Cross must collect more than 17,000 pints of blood for patients at more than 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. Of that, the Greater Alleghenies Blood Services Region must collect approximately 900 blood and platelet donations each weekday," said John A. Hagins, CEO of the region. He noted that American Red Cross, Greater Alleghenies Blood Services Region, serves donors, sponsors, hospitals and patients in 100 counties in Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.
Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit www. redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver's license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
"Every day, the American Red Cross must collect more than 17,000 pints of blood for patients at more than 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country. Of that, the Greater Alleghenies Blood Services Region must collect approximately 900 blood and platelet donations each weekday," said John A. Hagins, CEO of the region. He noted that American Red Cross, Greater Alleghenies Blood Services Region, serves donors, sponsors, hospitals and patients in 100 counties in Kentucky, Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia.
Call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit www. redcrossblood.org to make an appointment or for more information. A blood donor card or driver's license, or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.
