{"id":36266,"date":"2013-03-20T05:47:35","date_gmt":"2013-03-20T10:47:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/?p=36266"},"modified":"2013-03-20T05:47:35","modified_gmt":"2013-03-20T10:47:35","slug":"red-cross-schedules-3-blood-drives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thevwindependent.com\/news\/2013\/03\/20\/red-cross-schedules-3-blood-drives\/","title":{"rendered":"Red Cross schedules 3 blood drives"},"content":{"rendered":"

Red Cross bloodmobile news<\/em><\/p>\n

As the snow melts and spring rains bring fresh flowers, green grass, and warmer weather, the American Red Cross encourages area residents to be a part of change, too.<\/p>\n

Spring is about rejuvenation and research studies show that the increase in temperature is a major mood booster. \u201cThe need for blood remains constant, especially as the weather becomes warmer,\u201d said Tracy Duncan Fox, spokesperson for the American Red Cross Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region. \u201cA single blood donation can save more than one life, so as the season changes, allow some change within yourself by getting into the habit of donating blood.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>While spring lasts for a few months, donating blood only takes a fraction of that time; the donation process only takes about one hour. A healthy donor can donate red blood cells every 56 days and platelets can be given every 7 days, but no more than 24 times in one year. According to Fox, each and every day, the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region needs to have at least 500 blood donors to help meet the need of patients in the hospitals we serve.<\/p>\n

\u201cStrong donor turnout in April and May can give us good momentum into summer. And with only eight percent of eligible individuals donating blood each year, there\u2019s great potential for solid collections during spring,\u201d commented Fox. Approximately 38% of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood. But only eight percent of those eligible \u2013 or three percent of the general population \u2013 donates blood each year.<\/p>\n

Every day, patients across the U.S. need an average of 44,000 units of red blood cells. That\u2019s about 16-million donations transfused to 5 million patients each year.<\/p>\n

The following Red Cross bloodmobiles are scheduled in the area:<\/p>\n