Donors are urged to give blood this week and the weeks to come to counter a dangerously low blood supply in the Greater Chesapeake & Potomac (GC & P) Blood Services Region which supplies all of our local hospitals. The Southern Maryland Chapter American Red Cross is reporting a sharp decline in available blood, and is issuing an urgent plea to eligible blood donors to give the gift of life as soon as possible. All eligible donors are encouraged to call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule a blood donation appointment immediately.
“The local blood supply is well below normal,” says Earl Buffaloe, newly elected Chapter Board of Director’s Chairman , “yet local patients continue to depend on the blood supply. This summer has proven difficult to collect enough blood to meet the local need of patients. We are asking all local donors to respond by scheduling an appointment before the end of July.”
Declined blood collection not only puts a strain on an already vulnerable blood supply, but the lack of scheduled appointments makes it particularly difficult for the American Red Cross to meet every day needs of local patients. Each day, countless trauma victims, cancer patients, premature babies and surgical candidates rely on the availability of blood for transfusion.
WHO CAN GIVE BLOOD?
Donors must :
* Be in generally good health;
* Be at least 17 years of age, or, in the state of Maryland only, 16 years of age with parental consent
* Weigh no less than 110 pounds;
* Have NOT received a tattoo within the past year;
* Have NOT donated whole blood within the past 56 days.
In addition to asking individual members of the community to donate blood, the American Red Cross strongly encourages businesses and community groups to schedule and organize emergency blood drives, some of which may even be accommodated before the end of July. Donors are encouraged to call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule a blood donation appointment. Dates and location for Southern Maryland can be found on our web site Http://SouthernMaryland.RedCross.org. Any groups interested in scheduling a drive or obtaining further information is asked to call 1-888 276 2767, ext. 313.
“The local blood supply is well below normal,” says Earl Buffaloe, newly elected Chapter Board of Director’s Chairman , “yet local patients continue to depend on the blood supply. This summer has proven difficult to collect enough blood to meet the local need of patients. We are asking all local donors to respond by scheduling an appointment before the end of July.”
Declined blood collection not only puts a strain on an already vulnerable blood supply, but the lack of scheduled appointments makes it particularly difficult for the American Red Cross to meet every day needs of local patients. Each day, countless trauma victims, cancer patients, premature babies and surgical candidates rely on the availability of blood for transfusion.
WHO CAN GIVE BLOOD?
Donors must :
* Be in generally good health;
* Be at least 17 years of age, or, in the state of Maryland only, 16 years of age with parental consent
* Weigh no less than 110 pounds;
* Have NOT received a tattoo within the past year;
* Have NOT donated whole blood within the past 56 days.
In addition to asking individual members of the community to donate blood, the American Red Cross strongly encourages businesses and community groups to schedule and organize emergency blood drives, some of which may even be accommodated before the end of July. Donors are encouraged to call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE to schedule a blood donation appointment. Dates and location for Southern Maryland can be found on our web site Http://SouthernMaryland.RedCross.org. Any groups interested in scheduling a drive or obtaining further information is asked to call 1-888 276 2767, ext. 313.