The Central North Carolina Red Cross is in desperate need of blood drive locations. So many of our local industries has closed or downsized and are no longer able to have blood drives. The Red Cross is finding it hard to replace the pints of blood they used to generate.
Needed: Summer Blood Donors!
Summer months are hard months to collect blood because:
– People are involved in outdoor activities and vacations.
– High schools and colleges are not in session, so students are not accessible.
– Companies generally have fewer employees in June-August due to vacations.
– More donors have lower hemoglobin or iron levels caused by lighter summer diets and more activities.
However, the need for blood never decreases. Blood is needed throughout the year, especially during summer and winter months and holidays.
Unfortunately, the blood inventory has been at emergency and critical levels for several months now throughout the nation.
Even though the inventory is extremely low, we still have an obligation to ensure that blood is available for all local patients and hospitals and patients outside of service area.
Last Monday, the Carolinas Blood Region shipped over 100 units of type O blood to Blacksburg, Virginia to help out with the victims involved in the Virginia Tech massacre. Gun shot victims often need multiple units of blood, so we need to collect as much blood as possible to maintain an adequate supply for the victims in Virginia and for our local patients as well.
How can you help? Please consider scheduling a summer drive if you have not done so already. For drives that are already scheduled, please continue to encourage donors to sign up or walk-in to collect as many units as possible. Encourage donors to eat well and drink plenty of water to reduce the number of deferrals at scheduled drives.
If you have any questions or would like to inquire about available dates please do not hesitate to contact Renita Hayes-Carter at hayescarr@usa.redcross.org or by telephone at 919.605.7022 or Rick Norwood at 252.438.4813.
Thank you for your continued support of the American Red Cross!