July 22, 2004

Blood donors needed to end crisis

The American Red Cross reports that Bay Area residents are responding to an urgent call for donors put out last week, but insists that more donors are still needed. Centers are booked solid for Monday and Tuesday, yet this will not be enough to solve the crisis.

“While we critically need the blood we’re collecting today, we also need donors to come in the rest of the week and through July,” said Red Cross spokeswoman Sara O’Brien. “We have the capacity to collect hundreds of pints each day and while we’ve had a slight upswing in calls the last few days, we need donors willing to come in over the next several days to make up the supply. We’re halfway through July and need to make up for 500 pints of blood right now—that’s blood needed by 1,500 people the rest of this month.”

The Red Cross actually needs more blood donors every day of the year. In Northern California, only 2 percent of those eligible to donate blood actually do so. Across the nation, the average is 5 percent. O’Brien says, “We bring blood in from the rest of the country every day to meet the needs of Bay Area patients. This summer, while other areas are experiencing drops in their donations, they don’t have any blood to spare. We need more people to donate blood locally to end our dependence on others.”

Donating blood takes about an hour, with the actual donation lasting about seven minutes. Blood donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh 110 pounds or more and be in general good health. It is recommended blood donors drink plenty of water and eat a light meal before giving blood. Donations can be made every 56 days. To accommodate all eligible donors we encourage donors to call or go online today to schedule a blood donation appointment. Blood is perishable, the need is urgent and we wish to accommodate all those available immediately and as well as encourage appointments throughout July.

For more information call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or visit www.BeADonor.com.