Blood Donors Needed

This month’s winter storms and freezing temperatures have resulted in more than 400 American Red Cross blood drive cancellations and nearly 12,000 uncollected blood and platelet donations. While the weather has affected the ability of the Red Cross to collect blood, hospital patients are still in need of lifesaving transfusions.

All blood types are needed to ensure a sufficient blood supply and there is an urgent need for blood types O positive, O negative, A negative and B negative. Eligible donors with these blood types are especially encouraged to make an appointment to give in the coming days.

Donors with blood types O positive, O negative, A negative and B negative can consider making a double red cell donation where available. Double red cell donation is done with the help of an apheresis machine which collects the red cells but returns most of the plasma and platelets to the donor. Donors need to meet slightly higher hemoglobin and body height/weight requirements in order to be able to give a double red cell donation. Double red cell donations take approximately 30 minutes longer than a whole blood donation and allow you to give two units of red cells.

THE NEED FOR BLOOD IS CONSTANT It’s the blood already on the shelves that helps save lives before, during and after a disaster. The Red Cross has the ability to move blood products where and when they are needed most. Donors in areas unaffected by the severe winter weather are urged to make an appointment to give now. Their donation may be helping patients close to home or patients in areas where donors are unable to give because of inclement weather. Families of cancer patients, accident victims and many others are counting on the generosity of volunteer blood donors.

HOW TO GIVE For more information about donating blood, or to make an appointment to donate blood or platelets, please visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Individuals who are at least 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Source:  American Red Cross

 

If you would like to donate blood today, head up to Chaffey College between 8:00 AM - 8:15 PM to participate - walk-in donors are always welcome!

 

If you are looking to participate in an IV Therapy and Blood Withdrawal Certification Course for LVN's, HealthPro is offering a class this February.  Check out the dates at hpec.org or call 951-279-6110.