Blood donations urgently needed

VW independent staff/submitted information

The American Red Cross has declared an emergency blood shortage as the blood supply fell by nearly 25 percent in June. Blood donors are urgently needed to give now to help ensure patients receive lifesaving medical care without delay.

The shortage is especially serious for types O positive and B negative blood.

A steep decline in blood donations since the end of May has created a growing gap between supply and patient need. Currently, Red Cross distributions to hospitals are nearly 3,500 units higher per week than expected at a time when hospitals often see higher demand for blood products during the height of trauma season. On top of that, busy schedules and the seasonal loss of school blood drives are driving the decline which could put patient care at risk if not reversed.

The most important way to help end the blood shortage is to book an appointment to give blood now by using the Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). As a thank-you, all who come to give through the end of July will receive a Fandango Movie Ticket by email (up to

$15 ticket price and fees). Additional details can be found at RedCrossBlood.org/July.

Blood supply misconception

Every donation is critical to rebuilding the nation’s blood supply, yet many people may not realize the significant impact a single donation can have on patients in need. A recent Red Cross survey revealed a significant gap between public perception and the reality of the nation’s blood supply:

• Less than 1 in 5 respondents understood that blood cannot be stockpiled because it has a limited shelf life and must be continually replenished through volunteer donors.
• Only about half believed it was very likely that they or someone close to them would need blood one day, even though someone in the U.S. receives a blood transfusion every two seconds.

“A readily available blood supply serves as the backbone of modern medicine. Without it, lifesaving treatments and critical access points to care are not possible,” said Dr. Courtney Lawrence, medical director for the Red Cross. “Emergency departments, operating rooms, and labor and delivery units can’t support patients with the most urgent needs, and cancer patients must wait. We’re asking donors to givenow before doctors are forced to make those difficult decisions.”

Here is a list of upcoming blood donation opportunities in and near Van Wert County through the end of July.

Delphos

Friday, July 17: 12:30-5:30 p.m., Jefferson High School, 901 Wildcat Lane

Spencerville

Tuesday, July 28: 1-5:30 p.m., Spencerville Nazarene Church, 317 W. North St.

Rockford

Friday, July 24: 12-5 p.m., New Horizons Community Church, 833 S. Main St.

Van Wert

Friday, July 17: 12:30-5 p.m., Van Wert Wassenberg Art Center, 214 S. Washington St.

Friday, July 24: 12-5:30 p.m., Trinity Friends Church, 605 N. Franklin St.

Tuesday, July 28: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., American Legion, 631 W. Main St.