Friday, June 28, 2002
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Friday, June 28, 2002 |
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Red Cross: blood need urgent; monthly drive in PTC Monday By JOHN
MUNFORD
The metro area American Red Cross is issuing a plea for donors around the July 4th holiday, which is typically one of the worst times of the year for maintaining blood supplies. Just in time to meet that demand, the Red Cross will hold its monthly blood drive at The Gathering Place in Peachtree City Monday from 2:30 to 7:30 p.m. Although walk-ins are accepted, donors can also reserve a time by calling The Gathering Place at 770-631-2553. Part of the need for more donors stems from supplies of O-negative blood, the universal type used in most hospital emergency rooms, which at its lowest point would last only one-third of a day. Typically, the southern region of the Red Cross imports blood locally because donations don't meet local demands. But national blood shortages have made importing blood difficult in the past month, according to Red Cross officials. A victim from a serious traffic crash may need up to 100 pints of blood while a liver transplant may use up to 40 blood components, according to the Red Cross. "Even though supplies may look good today, they can drop to critical levels again within two days," said Southern Region CEO Chris Hrouda. "To ensure there is always enough blood for patients to need it, we must have a constant pool of donors willing to give blood on a regular basis. We need donors who are willing to give every 56 days, especially during the summer months when major shortages regularly occur."
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