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June 25. 2012 11:30PM
Red Cross reaches out for needed holiday week blood donations
MANCHESTER — When the July 4 holiday falls midweek, it causes both supply and demand problems for the American Red Cross blood program.
Combine that with a lower-than-expected donation level and the Red Cross is facing a blood supply emergency.
Carol Dembeck, communications project manager for the Northern New England Region of the American Red Cross, said the minimum number of donations needed in the region — New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont — is more than 7,500 pints over the next two weeks.
But Dembeck said the regional goal is actually 8,300 donations because donations are so far below the June projections. Nationally, donations are down by 50,000, with only half as many readily available blood products on hand as last year at this time.
The Manchester Blood Center’s goal is 2,243, but Dembeck said if the center can boost that total to 2,400, it would be a huge help.
Dembeck said all eligible blood donors are encouraged to donate as soon as possible. All blood types are needed, but especially O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative, in order to meet patient demand.
It may have been the early start to spring that’s partly responsible for the decrease in donations, but the need hasn’t decreased.
Dembeck said the midweek holiday typically not only results in a decrease in the number of blood drives at businesses and other locations, but also fewer people available for donations because they are on vacation the entire holiday week.
Unfortunately, patients don’t get a holiday from needing blood products. The need is constant. According to the Red Cross, approximately every 2 seconds, a patient in the United States needs a blood transfusion. Blood and platelets are used for many different kinds of treatments. They include accident and burns, heart surgery, organ transplants, complications during childbirth and for patients receiving treatment for cancer or sickle cell disease.
To reach its goal of 8,300 units over the next two weeks, the Manchester Red Cross Donor Center is adding emergency blood drives and extending blood drive hours and scheduled drives.
Eligible donors are asked to call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to find a blood drive and to make appointments.
Individuals who are 17 years of age — or 16 with parental permission in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont — meet height and weight requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to give blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of picture ID when you come to donate.
The Manchester Red Cross Donor Center, 425 Reservoir Ave., is normally open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays. The donor center will open an hour early, at 10 a.m., Tuesday and Thursday this week and on July 2, 3, 5, 9 and 10 to accommodate donors.
All donors through Sept. 26 will also have a chance to win two Red Sox home game tickets and be honored as the Blood Donor of the Game.
As a special thank you, all donors in July will receive a coupon for a free (sales tax additional in some locations) carton of Friendly’s Ice Cream, redeemable at any participating Friendly’s restaurant.
Combine that with a lower-than-expected donation level and the Red Cross is facing a blood supply emergency.
Carol Dembeck, communications project manager for the Northern New England Region of the American Red Cross, said the minimum number of donations needed in the region — New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont — is more than 7,500 pints over the next two weeks.
But Dembeck said the regional goal is actually 8,300 donations because donations are so far below the June projections. Nationally, donations are down by 50,000, with only half as many readily available blood products on hand as last year at this time.
The Manchester Blood Center’s goal is 2,243, but Dembeck said if the center can boost that total to 2,400, it would be a huge help.
Dembeck said all eligible blood donors are encouraged to donate as soon as possible. All blood types are needed, but especially O positive, O negative, B negative and A negative, in order to meet patient demand.
It may have been the early start to spring that’s partly responsible for the decrease in donations, but the need hasn’t decreased.
Dembeck said the midweek holiday typically not only results in a decrease in the number of blood drives at businesses and other locations, but also fewer people available for donations because they are on vacation the entire holiday week.
Unfortunately, patients don’t get a holiday from needing blood products. The need is constant. According to the Red Cross, approximately every 2 seconds, a patient in the United States needs a blood transfusion. Blood and platelets are used for many different kinds of treatments. They include accident and burns, heart surgery, organ transplants, complications during childbirth and for patients receiving treatment for cancer or sickle cell disease.
To reach its goal of 8,300 units over the next two weeks, the Manchester Red Cross Donor Center is adding emergency blood drives and extending blood drive hours and scheduled drives.
Eligible donors are asked to call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org to find a blood drive and to make appointments.
Individuals who are 17 years of age — or 16 with parental permission in Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont — meet height and weight requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to give blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of picture ID when you come to donate.
The Manchester Red Cross Donor Center, 425 Reservoir Ave., is normally open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturdays. The donor center will open an hour early, at 10 a.m., Tuesday and Thursday this week and on July 2, 3, 5, 9 and 10 to accommodate donors.
All donors through Sept. 26 will also have a chance to win two Red Sox home game tickets and be honored as the Blood Donor of the Game.
As a special thank you, all donors in July will receive a coupon for a free (sales tax additional in some locations) carton of Friendly’s Ice Cream, redeemable at any participating Friendly’s restaurant.
