Sign Up For Blood Drive On Tuesday, July 26
By St. Luke’s Wood River
The American Red Cross has issued an emergency call for blood and platelets, urging eligible donors to give now to replenish an extremely low summer blood supply.
Blood donations have fallen short of hospital needs around the country and the state of Idaho. Blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in.
“If you’ve ever wondered how you can help save lives, giving blood helps meet the needs of hospital patients in the coming days and weeks as well as in the event of an emergency,” explained Mary Williams, St. Luke’s Wood River Volunteer Core Board president.
Right now, the Red Cross has less than a five-day supply of blood on hand. At least a five-day supply is needed to meet the needs of hospital patients and be prepared for any emergencies that might require lots of donated blood products.
“Maintaining a safe and adequate blood supply is critical to the nation’s public health and a priority for the medical community,” said Miriam A. Markowitz, CEO of AABB. “Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. It is indispensable and required in the treatment of millions of patients, including individuals with cancer and other life-threatening diseases, patients undergoing organ transplants and trauma victims.”
Summer is always a challenging time for blood centers to ensure an adequate blood supply due to donors taking vacations and schools being out of session. Despite the season, the need for blood remains constant and patients continue to depend on the generosity of blood donors to meet that need. All blood types are needed.
It is the blood that has already been collected, screened and tested that is used during an emergency. Eligible blood donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment to give.
The American Red Cross and St. Luke’s Wood River Volunteer Core Board will host a blood drive Tuesday, July 26 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on Sun Valley Road in Ketchum. To schedule an appointment, visit www.redcrossblood.org and use sponsor code ”Ketchum.” Identification is required at drive. For questions regarding eligibility, please call (866) 236-3276. For more information, call Mary Williams at (208) 721-1211.
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