The American Red Cross has issued an emergency call for blood and platelets, urging all eligible donors to give now to replenish an extremely low summer blood supply.
Blood donations have fallen short of hospital needs for the past few months, resulting in about 39,000 fewer donations than what’s needed, as well as a significant draw down of the overall Red Cross blood supply. In addition, the Independence Day holiday may have caused many regular donors to postpone donations due to vacation plans. A recent Red Cross poll revealed that more than 75 percent of donors surveyed indicated vacation plans this summer, many of them occurring the weeks before and after July 4.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities in Marshall County are July 12th at the Argos United Methodist Church at 540 North Michigan Street from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. On July 20th Southwire at 515 Copperfield Way in Bremen will host a blood drive from 2 until 7 p.m. and on July 28th Quick’s Lanes at 1024 West Jefferson Street in Plymouth will host a blood drive from 2 p.m. till 6 p.m.
“Right now, blood products are being distributed to hospitals faster than donations are coming in, which is why we are making this emergency request for donations,” said Rodney Wilson, communications manager of Red Cross Blood Services. “Donations are urgently needed now to meet the needs of hospital patients in the coming days and weeks. If you’ve thought about giving blood and helping to save lives, now is the time to do it. It’s the blood donations on the shelves that help save lives when an emergency occurs.”
