Red Cross seeks blood donors to overcome summer slump
Winter storm-related blood drive cancellations are a memory; however, officials of American Red Cross, Greater Alleghenies Blood Services Region, continue to encourage blood donations.
“The focus is often on donor turnout during the winter and summer. However, strong donor turnout in April and May can give us good momentum into summer. And with only eight percent of eligible individuals donating blood each year, there’s great potential for solid collections during spring,” said John Hagins, CEO.
?He noted that during the summer it can be challenging to maintain sufficient blood supplies. About a quarter of Greater Alleghenies’ annual blood donations are given at high schools, colleges and universities.
“School and family vacations typically result in decreased donor turnout,” Hagins said.
The Red Cross estimates that approximately 38 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood. But only eight percent of those eligible — or three percent of the general population — donates blood each year.
Hagins added that on average, individuals in the region’s 100-county service area donate blood 1.7 times a year. However, many individuals can give blood up to six times a year and those who donate using the double red cell technology can give up to three times a year.
The Greater Alleghenies Region provides lifesaving blood to patients in more than 90 hospitals. Nearly 1,000 people need to give blood or platelets each weekday to meet hospital demand.
The Red Cross encourages people who are in good health to donate so that hospital patients have the blood or platelets they need to make a full recovery. Blood is needed to help treat a variety of patients including accident victims and individuals undergoing surgery and cancer treatment.
Most healthy people age 17 and older, or 16 with parental consent, who weigh at least 110 pounds, are eligible to donate blood. High school students and those age 18 and younger must also meet specific height and weight requirements. Many donors are eligible to give blood every 56 days.
Call 1-800-RED CROSS (733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org to learn more or to schedule an appointment to donate.Follow the Red Cross on Twitter: www.twitter.com/redcrossGAR.