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Going into the Independence Day holiday
weekend, blood supplies were at their lowest point in several months
-- the American Red Cross had only about a two-day supply of all
blood types available -- and inventory has fallen even lower with
the small number of donations given over the holiday weekend.
Many of the
nation's blood banks are suffering from low supplies as normal
donors vacation this summer. Nearly all of the 36 Red Cross Blood
Services regions have been asking for donations in their local
communities in recent weeks. Despite these efforts, and the
generosity of donors, a critical need for all blood types remains.
All eligible donors are encouraged to call today to schedule a blood
donation appointment.
"The fact that all blood organizations
are joining in issuing this message underscores the importance of
this matter," said Karen Shoos Lipton, CEO of the AABB. "We're
asking eligible donors to schedule appointments to donate blood this
summer."
The summer months are traditionally a
challenging time for blood centers. During the school year,
donations from high school and college students account for
approximately 15 percent of blood collections. In the summer, these
groups become much more difficult to collect from, even while the
need for blood continues.
"Patients in hospitals around the
country are depending on the immediate generosity of blood donors to
get the lifesaving blood that they need," said American Red Cross
President and CEO Marsha J. Evans. "We want to be able to assure the
public that we are doing everything possible to generate the
donations that will sustain our blood supply. Blood needs to be on
the shelves, in anticipation of need, and we can't do that without
donors coming in."
Volunteer blood donations help patients
being treated for accidents, in routine surgeries and with serious
diseases such as cancer, heart disease and hemophilia.
Giving blood is easy, safe and takes
less than one hour, but only about 5 percent of the estimated 60
percent of eligible Americans donate blood. To donate blood, one
must be healthy, at least 17 years old and weigh 110 pounds or more.
Donations are critically needed.
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About
the American Association
of Blood Banks
Established in 1947, the American
Association of Blood Banks is an international association of blood
banks, including hospital and community blood centers, transfusion
and transplantation services, and individuals involved in activities
related to transfusion and transplantation medicine. The AABB
supports high standards of medical, technical and administrative
performance, scientific investigation, clinical application and
education. It is dedicated to encouraging the voluntary donation of
blood and other tissues and organs through education, public
information and research. AABB member facilities are responsible for
collecting virtually all of the nation's blood supply and
transfusing more than 80 percent.
Approximately 2,000 institutions
(community and hospital blood banks, hospital transfusion services
and laboratories) and 8,000 individuals are members of the AABB,
including physicians, scientists, administrators, medical
technologists, blood donor recruiters and public relations
personnel. Members are located in all 50 states and 80 foreign
countries.
About
America's Blood Centers
Founded in 1962, America's Blood
Centers comprise North America's largest network of nonprofit
community blood centers. More than 450 ABC centers operate in 45
states and the Canadian province of Quebec. The centers provide more
than half of the U.S. volunteer donor blood supply and nearly
one-quarter of Canada's volunteer donor blood supply. These centers
serve more than 140 million people and provide blood products and
services to more than 3,300 hospitals. ABC members are licensed and
regulated by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.
About
the American Red Cross
The American
Red Cross is dedicated to saving lives, easing suffering and
restoring hope at home and around the world. Currently operating on
a budget of $2.7 billion, the Red Cross annually mobilizes relief to
the victims of more than 67,000 disasters nationwide. The American
Red Cross provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply to
patients in 3,000 hospitals nationwide. Call 1 (800) GIVE-LIFE today
to schedule your lifesaving donation or to sponsor a blood drive.
[Joint news release from
America's Blood Centers,
American Association of Blood Banks
and the American Red Cross]
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