August 25, 2010
The American Red Cross Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region issued an urgent call for blood donors earlier this month.
The Red Cross closely monitors national and local blood supplies to ensure donations are keeping pace with hospital need for blood products in order to meet ongoing and emergency patient care.
The Indiana-Ohio Blood Services explained that there is a critical need for blood donors now. They say summer is a particularly difficult time to recruit enough blood donors to meet the requirements.
Donors with all blood types are needed, but especially those with type O negative. Red Cross officials say type O negative donors can make the difference between an adequate blood supply and a shortage. That’s because type O negative blood can be transfused to patients with any blood type, and is most readily given to patients in emergency and trauma situations.
Upcoming American Red Cross Blood Drives include this Saturday, August 28th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Plymouth Wal-Mart and on Tuesday, August 31st from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Culver High School.