World Health Day

Red Cross needs blood donors regularly

[APRIL 7, 2000]  Today is World Health Day. The objective of World Health Day is to raise global awareness of a specific health theme and to highlight a priority area of concern for the World Health Organization. The priority area of World Health Day 2000 is blood safety, and the theme is “Safe Blood Starts With Me – Safe Blood Saves Lives.”

This year the American Red Cross is participating as a primary partner for World Health Day. For more than 50 years, the American Red Cross has worked to be an innovator and a leader in transfusion medicine and research and has provided the nation with blood products that are safe and reliable. The Red Cross is committed to biomedical research and the development of innovative technologies that will enhance many lives in the future and further secure the safety of the nation’s blood supply.

 

 

During World Health Day, the American Red Cross encourages all eligible donors to donate regularly, therefore ensuring an adequate blood supply. The Red Cross reports there is a need for blood every 10 seconds, and each unit of blood donated helps three people. Eligible donors must be over the age of 17 and weigh between 110 and 350 pounds. Before donating, temperature and blood pressure will be taken, along with a short health history.

The next Red Cross blood drives in Logan County will be Friday, April 14, at Lincoln High School and Wednesday, April 19, at the Lincoln Sports Complex.

 

 

Faye Stubblefield, office manager for the Lincoln branch of Sangamon Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross, says there is a great need for individuals to donate blood. “It’s important (because) it saves lives,” she remarks. “It’s a feeling of satisfaction to know you are helping.”

LaDonna Alexander, co-chair for the area blood drives, agrees, “Since I am a nurse, I see how much blood is needed and why. I hope more people will be able to know about World Health Day and become more educated about it.”

On the national level, the Red Cross will participate in a media event at the headquarters of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in Washington, D.C. PAHO is the arm of the World Health Organization that serves the Americas.

If you have questions about blood safety or donation, call the American Red Cross Blood Services Region at 800-728-3543 or contact the local chapter at 732-2134.

 

[ed. LDN]

 


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