Summer Shortage

(Re-posted courtesy of Erin Ferris at redcrosschat.org)

The arrival of summer means pool parties and backyard barbeques, spitting watermelon seeds and roasting hotdogs over a campfire, catching fireflies at dusk and watching the stars come out after dark. But more often than not the arrival of summer also means a shortage of blood on hospital shelves.

Throughout the summer months, and especially in the weeks leading up to and surrounding the 4th of July holiday, blood donations decrease and the need for blood increases. This situation, brought on by an increase in travel and outdoor activities that keep regular donors from donating but also result in more occasions for accidents and injuries requiring blood, places an additional demand on local and national blood supplies.

This demand, coupled with the fact that blood donations through the American Red Cross were down during the first half of 2012 compared to the same period last year, means that blood donations are desperately needed. Now.

The mission of the American Red Cross is to “ensure a safe and adequate blood supply through voluntary donations”. In order to accomplish this mission and serve the patients receiving care at more than 3,000 hospital and transfusion centers throughout the country, the American Red Cross counts on the generous support of all those who are eligible to donate.

This summer, and in honor of our country’s birthday, please consider helping a fellow American in need of a blood transfusion reach their next birthday by making an appointment to donate blood today.

Donations of all blood types are greatly appreciated, but donations of blood types O positive, O negative, A negative, and B negative are urgently needed.

4 comments

  • We completely agree! There is always a great need for donors! Thanks for helping growing awareness of this service that many overlook!We celebrate the gift of life and our mission is to try to help others enjoy it as much as possible. Learn more about what we do here: http://bit.ly/LkrEzP

  • Hate to be negative here, but does ARC ever review the caller list and cull out those who are not able to donate? Went to donate last month after being advised I could despite travel to Mexico…turns out after waiting an hour, that I couldn't donate. No big deal…. Lovely nurse there tells me she will put me and my family on "no call list" for a year, per ARC policy.
    Continue to receive several phone calls each week requesting donation. Advised to call National ARC center to confirm I'm on "no call list." DO so and lovely gentleman states I am; he will forward all info to Oregon chapter. Guess what? Still getting calls. Yes, ARC does good work, but please, try to work with your donors too. I've given you my blood, some sweat…don't bring me to tears.

  • Hello! We truly appreciate your feedback and want to ensure that your concern is promptly addressed. Can you please send an email to PNWInfo@redcross.org so we can initiate a response and action on your behalf? Thank you for your donations!

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