University Osteopathic Medical Center Teams up with Ohio Athletics to Respond to Blood Shortage
Contact: Tia Trivison, Mgr., Marketing & PR for Clinic Services, (740) 593-9572
ATHENS, Ohio (September 18, 2000) -- The University Osteopathic Medical Center (UOMC) and Ohio Athletics will host a special American Red Cross Blood Drive on September 26 and 27 from 12 noon to 6 p.m. in the Convocation Center Concourse. According to UOMC Marketing Manager, Tia Trivison, "This enormous blood drive is being held in response to the critically-low national blood supply which is the result of summertime activities keeping regular donors from the bloodmobile."
"We have been asked to take on a very aggressive goal for our 2-day blood drive in light of the fragile blood supply, so we are hoping that medical and other OU students and community will help us collect 220 pints of blood next week. This is one of the largest blood drives to be held in Athens county," she said.
The American Red Cross reports that their national inventory of blood is 20% below critical levels. The Central Ohio Red Cross Blood Services Region, which includes 27 counties serving 54 hospitals (Athens county and the two hospitals O'Bleness Memorial and Doctors Hospital of Nelsonville are within this area), has seen a steady increase in demand for blood over the last four months, outpacing donations. More blood donors are needed to ensure patients' needs are met.
Trivison added, "Even though our Athens county hospitals have not reported an urgent need for blood, residents in this area should not feel complacent. Most people in Athens county who need tertiary care services like a liver or heart transplant, bone marrow transplant or even a total hip or knee surgery, receive that care from hospitals in the Columbus or W. Virginia urban area -- areas where a shortfall for blood is currently being experienced."
The demand for blood in the United States has steadily risen in the last few years for a number of reasons, including advances in technology and the aging of the baby boomer population. The Central Ohio Region alone needs 600 donors each day to meet the demand.
While the inventory levels of all blood types in the Region are low at the moment, O Positive, O Negative, B Negative and A Positive are in particularly short supply.
Several local businesses are joining in to support the blood drive by donating special food or raffle prizes to serve as a special thank you for donors. They include: Athens Flower Shop, Avalanche Pizza, College Bookstore, Courtside Pizza, Cross Court Gifts, FrogNet, Little Professor
Book Center, Miller's Chicken, Mistretta's Italian Market, Ohio Athletics, Papa Johns Pizza, Perk's Coffee House and Roastery, Seven Sauces, The Uptown Dog, Therapeutic Touch, Tomatillo's Restaurant, WellWorks, and W.G. Grinders. In addition, Randy Norris, voted Athens favorite DJ, from WXTQ Radio Power 105 FM, will be on hand both days broadcasting live from the Convo blood drive from 12 noon to 2 p.m. to keep the blood flowing.
Every two seconds someone in the U.S. receives blood. Each unit of blood donated can help up to three people. Donated blood is frequently used for cancer treatments, for trauma and burn victims, for people living with sickle cell anemia, and for organ transplant recipients.
Blood donors must be at least 17-years-old (there is no upper age limit), weigh at least 110 pounds, and be in general good health. Donors need to present photo identification. To make an appointment to give blood at the UOMC Drive, please call 1-740-593-9572 or for more information about donating blood visit www.bloodsaveslives.org.
