Blood donations are needed now more than ever. When was the last time you donated blood? If it’s been awhile or you’ve never given blood before, now is the perfect time to do so.
Every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood, according to the American Red Cross. Blood donations are used for accident victims, as well as cancer, organ transplant and surgery patients. People with chronic illnesses need blood, too.
“As a cardiac surgical hospital, blood transfusions are a routine part of our procedures,” says pathologist Betsy Schloo, MD, Vice President, Medical Affairs at Deborah Heart and Lung Center. “Blood transfusions are critical to surgical success, and can often mean the difference between life and death.”
Dr. Schloo, who has spearheaded blood collection drives with the American Red Cross at Deborah for many years, says she has never seen the available supply of blood and platelets so low.
Dr. Schloo notes that blood donations dropped dramatically during COVID-19. “People were afraid to come out and give blood. A sustained drop in donations for months has now resulted in this national emergency we are facing. The blood bank is still distributing, but that distribution is outpacing its collections.”
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Dr. Schloo urges everyone who is eligible to donate blood. “It is easy to give blood, and there is no waiting period after receiving a COVID vaccination.”
“Remember if you give blood today, you may be helping yourself or a family member in the future. You never know when an emergency will strike.”
To donate blood, or find out more information, call 1-800-733-2767 or visit www.redcrossblood.org/give
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