Editor’s Note: The previous date and time given for the blood drive at The Pegram Agency were incorrect. This reprint of the original article that ran on July 14, 2008 gives the correct information. We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused.
While temperatures and fuel prices continue to rise this summer, the American Red Cross reports that the blood inventory levels are so low it is unable to sufficiently meet the demand of local hospitals.
While there is a constant need for all blood types, donors with type O positive, O negative, A positive and A negative are asked to take an hour to donate right away.
It is especially crucial for donors with type O blood to donate within the next few days. Type O is the most common blood type and is used extensively by hospitals. Type O blood donors are considered universal red cell donors because their blood can be given to most other blood types in emergencies when there is no time to type a patient’s blood. Hospitals commonly experience an increase in traumas during the summer, making the need for type O blood even greater.
Please schedule an appointment or walk-in at the following blood drives:
August
Maria Parham Medical Center- 566 Ruin Creek Rd. Henderson, NC
Friday, August 1 from 10:00 a.m. — 2:30 p.m. (Contact Lee Anne People at 252.436.1116 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome!) Donors will receive a t-shirt and can register to win a $1,000 gas card.
The Pegram Agency – 191 Ruin Creek Rd. Henderson, NC
Thursday, August 14 from 2:00 — 6:30 p.m. (Contact Heidi Garland or Teresa Roberson at 252.438.2023 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome!) Donors will receive a t-shirt and can register to win a $1,000 gas card.
St. James Catholic Church – 3275 US 158 Bypass Henderson, NC
Saturday, August 16 from 9:00 a.m. — 1:30 p.m. (Contact Rick Seekins at 252.438.8712 to schedule an appointment. Walk-ins are welcome!) Donors can register to win a $1,000 gas card.
Vance Granville Community College – Hwy. 158 West Henderson, NC
Wednesday, August 20 from 11:00 a.m. — 3:00 p.m. (Contact the school to schedule an appointment.) Donors can register to win a $1,000 gas card.
Henderson Family Medicine – 480 Ruin Creek Rd. Henderson, NC
Friday, August 29 from 11:30 a.m. — 4:00 p.m. (Contact Tammy Bliss at 252.492.3152 ext. 224 to schedule an appointment.) Donors will receive a t-shirt and can register for a $1,000 gas card.
“People often forget that the need for blood never takes a vacation,” says Robert F. Fechner, chief executive officer, American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region. “Blood donations always decline during the summer months, but blood is used to treat area hospital patients every day. Unless donors respond immediately, hospitals may need to cancel elective or non-emergency surgeries.”
In the summer, blood shortages often occur because individual donations decrease, along with the number of organizations that are able to sponsor blood drives. The absence of high school and college blood drives also contributes to this annual drop in donations because these drives account for approximately 20 percent of all donations in the Carolinas Region.
“We want to make the donation process as convenient as possible for those who take time out of their day to help save lives. In order to avoid waits at our donor centers and blood drives, we ask that donors call to make appointments to give blood,” adds Fechner.
The American Red Cross Carolinas Blood Services Region needs approximately 1,600 people to donate blood and platelets each weekday to meet the needs of hospital patients. Most people who are age 17 or older and weigh at least 110 pounds are eligible to give blood every 56 days. There is no substitute for blood, and the only source is from volunteer donors.
To schedule an appointment to donate or for information on the location of blood drives, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (448.3543) or 252.438.4813 or 919.605.6022 or visit www.redcrossblood.org.