Red Cross Moves to Avoid Blood Shortage
Contact: Athens County Red Cross, (740) 593-5273
ATHENS, Ohio (June 27, 2000) -- With the Fourth of July looming, the American Red Cross (ARC) is stepping up blood donor recruitment efforts in order to avoid a severe summer shortage. The Independence Day holiday is traditionally at the center of the most desperate time for organizations like the ARC seeking blood donations in the midst of "trauma season." Presently, 20 of the Red Cross' 36 blood regions are reporting seriously low blood supplies, including the Central Ohio Region (which encompasses Athens, Hocking, Meigs and Vinton counties).
Locally, the Red Cross has an acute shortage of O negative blood. The Central Ohio Blood Services Region reported Monday that they have only two units of O negative in their inventory -- an optimum three-day supply is 150 units. Hospitals do have blood in their inventories, but there is concern that emergency rush-orders will not be available when hospitals call the Red Cross for more blood.
"Prepare for the worst and hope for the best. Summer is always a difficult time in regard to blood collections so we have been carefully planning for the Fourth of July in order to avoid a severe shortage," said Jim Tinker, communications manager for the Central Ohio Region. "The reason that we have so many blood shortages is the simple fact that 95 percent of those who are eligible to give blood never do. Never."
A special Blood Drive has been scheduled for Athens County on Saturday, July 1 at the University Mall on East State Street. The blood drive will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and all blood donors will receive a free t-shirt. The Red Cross said type O blood is critically low, but donors of all blood types are needed to care for the platelet and plasma needs of hospital patients.
The local Red Cross is also taking these steps to avoid a severe summer shortage:
- Extending hours at Red Cross blood donation centers
- Increasing the number of blood drives
- Offering free patriotic t-shirts to all blood donors who give July 1-3
- Partnering with Lifeline of Ohio to increase awareness about the need for blood for organ transplant patients
- Promoting safe driving and blood donations with the Ohio State Highway Patrol
- Increasing phone calls and mailings to current blood donors
- Launching Guns & Hoses event in Columubus June 30 (the event launch is at 10 a.m. at the Columbus area police/fire stations at the corner of Morse and Karl roads.)
"Giving blood is safe, simple and takes about an hour. We urge individuals who have never donated blood to contact us with any questions or concerns. The main reason that we have so many blood shortages is the simple fact that 95 percent of those who are eligible to give blood never do," Tinker said. "That coupled with fact that our regular blood donors are just very busy with summer activities and can't get to the blood drives can be the formula for a severe blood shortage at this time of year."
The American Red Cross urges individuals with appointments to donate blood to keep those appointments and asks everyone else who is eligible to donate to contact the American Red Cross at 1-800 GIVE LIFE to schedule an appointment. 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 identification showing their social security number. For more information, please contact Jim Tinker at (614) 253-2740, ext. 2275 or locally Sandra Shirey, Exec. Director of the Athens County American Red Cross at 593-5273.
