Our View: Local heroes need apply, and quickly
When it comes to the American Red Cross' need for blood, there are no isolated emergencies. An emergency need nationwide is a need in the High Country — where the Carolinas Blood Services Region must collect about 1,600 pints of blood daily for local needs, to complete the national need of 17,000 pints daily to serve patients in more than 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers.
Today, myriad factors have coalesced to constitute a national emergency. Drastically low blood and platelet donations this month have left the organization with less than half the level of blood supplies during this time in 2011. This, in addition to a midweek July 4 holiday and vacationers off to an early start following a mild spring season, has reduced the number of blood drives and donors the American Red Cross typically hosts in anticipation of the increased needs that arise each summer.
But you can help.
If you are at least 17, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in general good health, you are probably eligible to give blood. And while all donations are appreciated, if you are blood type O-positive, O-negative, B-negative or A-negative, there is an especial need for your blood.
Thirty times every minute, someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion. That someone could be across the country — but it could be your High Country neighbor depending on a local blood donation to survive. Call the Red Cross at (800) 733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment at a local blood drive.
Today, myriad factors have coalesced to constitute a national emergency. Drastically low blood and platelet donations this month have left the organization with less than half the level of blood supplies during this time in 2011. This, in addition to a midweek July 4 holiday and vacationers off to an early start following a mild spring season, has reduced the number of blood drives and donors the American Red Cross typically hosts in anticipation of the increased needs that arise each summer.
But you can help.
If you are at least 17, weigh at least 110 pounds and are in general good health, you are probably eligible to give blood. And while all donations are appreciated, if you are blood type O-positive, O-negative, B-negative or A-negative, there is an especial need for your blood.
Thirty times every minute, someone in the United States needs a blood transfusion. That someone could be across the country — but it could be your High Country neighbor depending on a local blood donation to survive. Call the Red Cross at (800) 733-2767 or visit redcrossblood.org to make an appointment at a local blood drive.