11/19/10 You can honor a uniquely American holiday by giving something that’s uniquely you.
By donating blood this Thanksgiving, you’ll help ensure that blood is available for patients in need, and honor the spirit of giving that surrounds the start of the holiday season.
“When you donate blood this time of year, you can take pride in knowing someone is extremely thankful for your act of giving,” said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “Because of you, someone’s mother, father, child or friend may have a chance to spend another holiday with people they love.”
Every day, patients across the U.S. need more than 39,000 units of blood to treat emergency and ongoing medical conditions. Patients depend on blood for cancer treatments, scheduled surgeries, emergency or accident care, as well as ongoing needs related to serious diseases like sickle cell.
While all blood types are needed, the demand for type O blood is great since type O can be transfused to patients with other blood types like A, B and AB. While type O positive can be transfused to patients with any positive blood type, type O negative can be transfused to anyone with any blood type, making it the type most needed in emergencies when a patient’s blood type isn’t known.
“At the American Red Cross, we’re thankful for every person who helps give someone a second chance at life by donating blood,” said Whitman. “While blood is needed year-round, it holds special meaning during the holidays since you’re giving something back to the community that truly comes from within.”
UPCOMING AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVES IN YOUR AREA:
- Wednesday, Nov. 24, from 8:30 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Bremen High School, located at 511 W. Grant St. in Bremen. This blood drive is sponsored by the Key Club.
