American Red Cross Makes Emergency Appeal
(Jan. 25, 2007) BIRMINGHAM, AL -- Because of decreased collections,
current projections for January, an increase in the demand for blood in
January and ongoing severe winter weather in many parts of the country, the
American Red Cross Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Region has elected to
initiate an emergency appeal to mobilize donors to the cause of saving lives
through blood donation.
Regional blood shortage potentially threatens elective surgeries
 The
appeal period began January 25, 2007 and will last until the blood inventory
reaches a satisfactory and safe level. Blood, and consequently blood donors,
are a critical link in the chain of the region’s health care system, as the
American Red Cross supplies more than 100 hospitals in the region. Without
generous volunteer donors, blood will not be available for all patients if
the inventory gets low enough. If the blood supply is dangerously low,
elective surgeries will be postponed in order to preserve the blood supply
for life-saving emergency medical treatment.
“Right now, patients in area hospitals across the Alabama and Central
Gulf Coast Region need you to make the time to roll up your sleeve and
donate blood," said Dr. Ken McMilin, Medical Director, American Red Cross
Blood Services, Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Region. McMilin added that
blood right now is simply not available in sufficient quantities. “Blood
must be available whenever it is needed to keep lives out of jeopardy. We
have reached an emergency situation and the blood will not be there without
the immediate response of generous, volunteer blood donors like you,” the
doctor added.
The American Red Cross is especially seeking those donors who do not
routinely give blood. The network of regular eligible donors has been
trimmed back thanks in part to several large-scale media blood drives in
December. Those who gave at the drives in December won’t be eligible to give
again until at least February, making it crucial that those who don’t
regularly roll up their sleeves for donation do so during the coming weeks.
“Currently on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, along the Florida Panhandle and
in Alabama, we have about one days' supply of most blood types. Type O is
the most critical now, but there is a need for all blood types for the next
several weeks as collections begin to rebound, " emphasized Mark
Beddingfield, CEO, American Red Cross Blood Services, Alabama and Central
Gulf Coast Region.
 "Every
day, blood and platelets are needed for patients with cancer, leukemia and
sickle cell anemia as well as for burn victims, organ transplant patients,
and accident victims. Without more people giving blood locally, the American
Red Cross cannot ensure that hospitals will have the blood they need to
treat all patients,” added Beddingfield.
In order to meet the current demand for blood, the American Red Cross
must collect some 700 units of blood each day in the Alabama and Central
Gulf Coast Region alone. Every two seconds, someone in this country needs
blood. In the time it took to read the previous sentence, two lives were
saved by blood donors who give a little of their time so that others may
live on.
The American Red Cross is particularly in need of O donors, both Type O
Positive and Type O Negative. Because more than half the blood requested by
hospitals in our region is Type O, the demand for that type is growing. O
Positive blood can be transfused into patients with any Positive blood type,
and O Negative is “Universal Donor” blood, meaning it can be transfused into
all patients regardless of their blood types.
 In
addition to saving the life of a neighbor, friend, family member or
coworker, those who choose to donate during the summer appeal period will
also be eligible for several promotions. Every donor in the month of January
will receive a vintage American Red Cross ball cap and T-shirt, and be
entered into a region-wide drawing for two round-trip domestic Delta Air
Lines tickets and a seven day cruise for two. All presenting donors between
February 1-14 will be enrolled into a regional drawing for four flower
arrangements valued at a total of $240.
In order to give blood, one must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least
110 pounds and be in overall good health. Donors must present a photo ID or
an American Red Cross donor card when donating. If you cannot give, recruit
someone to give in your place. For the 48 hours prior to donation, double
fluid intake. Eat a nutritious meal the night before, as well as the day of,
blood donation.
For blood drives in your area, please visit a drive
listing. Donors can also give at one of 18
donor centers across the Alabama and Central Gulf Coast Region. To
schedule an appointment, to learn more about blood donation or to find a
blood drive in your area, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE or visit
web.redcrossblood.org.
Remember, when you give blood, you give someone the gift of life.
There really is no greater gift one can give.
Together, we can save a life |
Jan.
25 Emergency Appeal